February 12, 2017
ABERDEEN, S.D. – Dakota State (S.D.) faced NCAA Division II Northern State (S.D.) in the second game of the Presentation (S.D.) Softball Dome Tournament Sunday afternoon. The Trojans jumped to a 1-0 opening lead, but could not overcome NSU's 12 hits for a 10-2 victory.
Dakota State fell to 1-1 overall record, while Northern State improved to 2-1 overall record.
Peyton Brokiewicz blasted a double to lead off the game for DSU. Kayla Schmell hit a ground out to advance Brokiewicz to third base. Brokiewicz scored on a wild pitch from the Wolves as the Trojans earned the first lead at 1-0.
Katelynn Dilts and Jenna Helgeson hit back-to-back home run as Northern State overtook a 2-1 lead in the bottom first frame. Madison Rutter and Lauren Kunz each added an RBI to extend Wolves' lead to 4-1.
The Trojans cut the Wolves' lead down by two runs in the top second inning. Audrey Kosman led off with a single and advanced to second base after Tatum Ronke's ground out to second. Kaity Barnes reached on base caused by NSU's defensive error, allowing Kosman to score as DSU trailed 4-2.
Northern State scored twice in the bottom second inning to extend their lead to 6-2.
The Wolves poured in four runs in the fourth inning for a 10-2 lead, highlighted by Katie Dawson's 3-run home run.
DSU could not extend the game after the top fifth inning as NSU secured the victory.
Brokiewicz went 2-of-3 at the plate with a double and a single for the Trojans. Kosman added a hit. Barnes produced an RBI.
Dilts and Helgeson each had two hits, including a home run, and collected two RBIs for Northern State. Rachel Albright added two hits. Dawson had a home run and three RBIs. Rutter recorded two hits.
NSU outhit DSU 12-3 in the game. The Wolves left eight runners on base while the Trojans had two runners left on base.
Kelly Drake (L, 0-1) took the loss in the pitching circle for DSU. She worked for four innings and gave up 10 runs (2 unearned) on 12 hits.
Missy Elkins (W, 1-0) earned a complete game win after tossing five innings for NSU. She allowed two runs (1 unearned) on three hits.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director