February 19, 2017
ABERDEEN, S.D. – After falling 2-0 early in the game Sunday afternoon at Presentation (S.D.) Dome, Dakota State (S.D.) exploded for six-run second inning and held off York's (Neb.) comeback bid in 7-6 victory.
Dakota State lifted their overall record to 3-2, while York fell to 1-7 overall record.
The Panthers opened up the game with a 1-0 lead, thanks to Brittany Rayls' RBI double in the top first inning.
Molly Reyes added an RBI double in the top second inning as YC extended their lead to 2-0.
The Trojans broke their scoring after producing six runs – all by two outs – in the bottom half of the second inning. Emma Marsh led off with a single. Caitlin Murray and Kailee McFadden each reached on base caused by York's defensive error, allowing Marsh to score to cut YC's lead to 2-1.
Dakota State tied the game at 2-2 in the bottom second after Peyton Brokiewicz's RBI double to score Murray. Kayla Schmell reached on base by a walk to set up a bases loaded situation for the Trojans.
Nicole Stewart blasted a grand slam to left field on a 0-1 count as DSU's lead grew to 6-2 in the bottom second inning.
York scored once in the top third inning after an RBI single by Mikayla Lawrence. DSU led 6-3 after three innings.
Ahart added a 2-RBI double in the top fourth as the Trojans' lead was reduced to 6-5.
Jasmin Lucero hit a lead-off double in the bottom fifth frame. Tatum Ronke produced an RBI single to score Lucero to put the Trojans up by two runs at 7-5.
York answered back with a run scored in the top sixth inning. Lawrence recorded an RBI double as the Panthers cut DSU's lead down to 7-6.
YC left a runner on first base in the final inning as the Trojans secured their second straight victory.
Stewart finished the game with a home run and registered four RBIs for Dakota State. Lucero and Marsh each had two hits. Brokiewicz had a double and an RBI. Ronke had a single and an RBI. McFadden earned an RBI.
Lawrence was 2-of-3 at the plate with a double, single and drove in two runs for York. Ahart added a double and an RBI. Reyes and Rayls each had a hit and an RBI.
YC outhit DSU 9-7 in the game, but the Panthers committed four defensive errors in the game compared to DSU zero errors. York left 11 runners on base while Dakota State left four runners on base.
Kaysea Luna (W, 2-0) recorded the victory in the pitching circle for DSU. She tossed 3 2/3 innings and gave up five runs on six hits. She recorded four strikeouts. Kelly Drake (S, 1) notched the save after working for 3 1/3 innings in relief. She limited the Panthers to one run on three hits.
Ahart (L, 0-1) recorded the loss after pitching six innings for York. She allowed seven runs (two unearned) on seven hits. She struck out four DSU's batters.
Dakota State concludes the Presentation Softball Tournament with a night cap versus North Star Athletic Association's conference foe Mayville State (N.D.). This game will be counted as a non-conference contest.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
