May 1, 2016
SENIOR DAY PHOTOS
MADISON, S.D. – Dakota State's (S.D.) late comeback in the first game of the North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) Softball conference doubleheader fell short to Valley City State (N.D.) Sunday afternoon at Thue Softball Complex. The Vikings held on to a 6-4 game one victory and finished the four-game series with a sweep after a 6-0 game two victory.
Dakota State concluded their regular-season schedule with an overall record of 8-28 and 4-20 NSAA conference record. Valley City State extended their winning streak to seven games, raising their overall record to 36-11 and 17-5 NSAA.
Game 1 – Valley City State (N.D.) 6, Dakota State (S.D.) 4 – FINAL
The Trojans maintained a 2-1 lead after three innings in the first game of the doubleheader, but the Vikings plated three runs in the top fourth inning and held on to a 6-4 victory.
VCSU took the first lead of the game in the opening inning. Katarina Boychuk led off with a single and swiped to second base. She advanced to third base after Kelsey Hamade's sacrifice bunt. Cejay Hilhorst hit an RBI single to score Boychuk to give the Vikings 1-0 lead.
Harley Lindell started DSU's offensive outburst in the bottom third inning after a lead-off double to deep left-center. Kayla Schmell hit a single with one out and advanced Lindell to third base. After Elizabeth Rubalcava was hit-by-pitch to set up a bases loaded situation, Audrey Kosman produced a 2-RBI single to score Lindell and Schmell as the Trojans grabbed a 2-1 lead.
The Vikings would answer back after scoring three runs in the top fourth inning to regain their lead, two runs caused by DSU's defensive error. Cassie Pautz added an RBI single to extend Valley City State's lead to 4-2.
VCSU scored two more runs for 6-2 lead in the top seventh frame with a pair of RBI singles by Hamade and Morgan Nalley.
Dakota State mounted a rally in the bottom seventh inning. Ariana Duran started off with a single for the Trojans. Lindell followed up with a single and advanced Erica Belter – pinch runner for Duran – to second base. Belter and Lindell each advanced one base after a passed ball committed by the Vikings. Peyton Brokiewicz added a single to set up a bases loaded situation.
Lynnie Angle – pinch hitter for Schmell – hit an RBI fielder's choice to score Belter, but Lindell was forced out at third base on the same play as the Trojans trailed 6-3. Rubalcava reached on base by a fielder's choice (Schmell was forced out at second base). The Trojans cut VCSU's lead to 6-4 after a wild pitch as Brokiewicz scored.
The Trojans left one runner on base when the game ended, sealing the victory for the Vikings.
Lindell was 2-of-3 at the plate with a double, single and a run for Dakota State. Schmell added two single and a run. Kosman drove in two runs and a single. Brokiewicz, Rubalcava, Tatum Ronke and Duran each recorded a hit.
Pautz and Hilhorst each tallied a double, single and an RBI for Valley City State. Hamade added two hits. Kelli Moore had a double. Boychuk recorded a single and a stolen base. Nalley had a hit and an RBI.
Both teams had nine hits and six runners left on base.
Kosman (L, 4-14) took the loss after tossing a complete game in the circle for DSU. She gave up six runs (three unearned) on nine hits.
Nalley (W, 20-5) earned the victory in 6 1/3 innings of work for VCSU. She allowed four runs (one unearned) on nine hits. Kathlee Gallais (S, 2) earned the save after 2/3 scoreless innings in relief.
Game 2 – Valley City State (N.D.) 6, Dakota State (S.D.) 0 – FINAL
The Vikings scored two runs in three of the first four innings and secured a 6-0 shutout victory over the Trojans in the second game.
VCSU's Boychuk started the game by reaching on base caused by DSU's defensive miscue. Hamade followed up with a single. Both Boychuk and Hamade swiped one base. Katie Cameron hit a 2-RBI single to score Boychuk and Hamade to give VCSU a 2-0 early lead.
Valley City State scored another two runs in the top third inning. After the first two outs in the third inning, Nalley and Moore hit back-to-back singles. Tatum Lundin hit a 2-RBI triple to deep center to score Nalley and Moore as the Vikings' lead grew to 4-0.
The Vikings had another two-run inning in the fourth inning, highlighted by Voni Culp's lead-off triple. Boychuk followed up with an RBI single to score Culp for 5-0 VCSU lead. With bases loaded situation and two outs, Moore recorded an RBI walk to give the Vikings a 6-0 lead.
Dakota State was unable to convert their scoring chances in the bottom fourth frame after leaving bases loaded.
The Trojans left runners on third and second bases when the game ended as the Vikings secured the victory.
Schmell and Rubalcava each went 2-for-4 at the plate for DSU. Schmell had a double and single while Rubalcava recorded two singles. Brokiewicz, Kosman, April Pisk and Ronke each added a hit. Brokiewicz swiped one base.
Lundin had a triple and an RBI for VCSU. Culp added a triple and a run scored. Boychuk and Nalley each tallied two hits. Hamade, Cameron and Moore each had a hit. Cameron produced two RBIs. Cameron and Boychuk each swiped two bases. Hamade added a stolen base.
VCSU registered nine hits in the game compared to DSU eight hits. Both teams left 10 runners on base.
Ashley Olson (L, 2-9) recorded the loss for the Trojans. She worked for four innings and allowed six runs (one unearned) on eight hits. Claire Fischer pitched the final three scoreless innings and limited the Vikings to one hit.
Gallais (W, 11-3) earned the victory on the pitching mound for the Vikings. She tossed four scoreless innings and allowed four hits and recorded six strikeouts. Ashley Metcalf worked for two innings in relief and gave up three hits. Haley Butterfield pitched the seventh inning and gave up one hit.
Duran, Shai-Lee Hill, Lindell and Rubalcava were honored on Trojans' Senior Day between the conclusion of the first game and start of the second game. They played their last home games at Thue Softball Complex.
Dakota State and Valley City State await to hear from the NSAA conference office about the upcoming conference postseason tournament this weekend in Aberdeen, S.D., hosted by Presentation (S.D.). The bracket and pairings will be announced early in the week.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
