February 19, 2017
ABERDEEN, S.D. – Dakota State (S.D.) played the North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) conference foe Mayville State (N.D.) in the nightcap of the Presentation (S.D.) Softball Dome Tournament Sunday evening. Down 1-0, the Trojans used a pair of big innings of offensive explosion to defeat the Comets by the score of 8-5 in a non-conference contest.
Dakota State, which finished the day with a 3-0 record after defeating Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) and York (Neb.) earlier Sunday, raised their overall record to 4-2. Mayville State fell to 0-4 overall record.
The Comets raced to a 1-0 lead in the opening inning. Kiana Ishikawa led off with a walk and swiped two straight times. Danielle Sheridan produced an RBI single to give MSU a one-run lead over the Trojans.
DSU got on board in the bottom second frame. Jasmin Lucero reached on base caused by MSU's defensive error. Emma Marsh blasted a 2-run home run as Dakota State gained a 2-1 lead over Mayville State.
The Trojans exploded for six runs in the bottom fourth inning. Nicole Stewart started the bottom fourth with a double, followed by Lucero's single. Marsh reached on base by a walk to set up a bases loaded and no out situation for Dakota State.
Tatum Ronke reached on base by a fielder's choice, where Stewart was forced out at home for DSU in the bottom fourth. Caitlin Murray reached on base after MSU committed a defensive error, allowing Lucero to score for DSU's 3-1 lead.
Dakota State made it 5-1 after Kailee McFadden hit a 2-RBI single to score Marsh and Ronke. Peyton Brokiewicz added an RBI single to score Murray, followed by Kayla Schmell's 2-RBI double to make it 8-1 in favor of the Trojans.
Mayville State broke the scoring drought with three runs scored in the top fifth inning. The Comets hit three consecutive singles to produce three runs, trimming the Trojans' lead to 8-4.
MSU reduced their deficit to 8-5 in the top sixth frame after Ishikawa's RBI triple.
The Comets left a runner on second base in the final inning as Dakota State closed out the game with a win.
Marsh finished the game by going 1-of-2 at the plate with a home run, a walk and a 2 RBI for the Trojans. Schmell added a double, single and drove in two runs. McFadden had a single and two RBIs. Brokiewicz recorded a single and an RBI. Stewart registered a double. Lucero and Ronke each had a hit. Murray had an RBI.
Ishikawa and Sherdian each had three hits for the Comets. Ishikawa swiped two bases. Lauren Coronado was 2-of-4 at the plate with three RBIs. Jolene Ruiz had a hit.
MSU had nine hits in the game compared to DSU eight hits. The Comets left seven runners on base, while the Trojans had two runners left on base.
Kaysea Luna (W, 3-0) earned the victory on the pitching mound for the Trojans. She worked for four innings and allowed four runs on six hits. Kelly Drake pitched three innings in relief, giving up one run on three hits. She recorded four strikeouts.
Kaitlyn Kuntz (L, 0-2) took the loss in the pitching circle for the Comets. She tossed three innings and allowed four runs (one unearned) on four hits. Shaye Kemball pitched three innings in relief and also gave up four runs (one unearned) on four hits.
Dakota State heads back to the Presentation Dome for the third straight week. The Trojans will play a total of six games from Friday through next Sunday in Aberdeen, S.D. DSU will kick off the North Star Athletic Association conference season Friday with a doubleheader versus No. 21-ranked Dickinson State (N.D.). First pitch is set for 9 a.m.
On Saturday, the Trojans play Mayville State in a doubleheader at 9 a.m. DSU plays Jamestown (N.D.) in another doubleheader next Sunday to conclude their North Star's six-game stretch at Presentation Dome.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
