February 25, 2017
ABERDEEN, S.D. – Dakota State (S.D.) continued their North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) Softball action Saturday morning at Presentation (S.D.) Dome, facing Mayville State (N.D.) in a doubleheader. The Comets defeated the Trojans 6-4 in the first game, but DSU bounced back in the winning column with a 3-1 game two win over MSU to earn a doubleheader split.
Dakota State raised their overall record to 6-4 and 2-2 record in North Star conference play. Mayville State is 1-7 overall record and 1-3 NSAA conference record.
The Trojans conclude the North Star Cross-over Tournament Sunday morning with a doubleheader versus Jamestown (N.D.). Mayville State (N.D.) is scheduled to play
Game 1 – Mayville State (N.D.) 6, Dakota State (S.D.) 4 – FINAL
Trailing 3-1 in the top sixth inning in the first game of the doubleheader, DSU rallied back to score two runs to knot the game. The Comets answered with three runs in the bottom half of the sixth inning and held off the Trojans by the score of 6-4.
Mayville State scored its first runs of the game in the bottom third inning. Lauren Coronado led off with a double, followed by Kiana Ishikawa's bunt single. Danielle Sheridan hit a 3-run home run to give MSU a 3-0 lead.
The Trojans snapped their scoring drought with a run scored in the top fourth inning. Kayla Schmell started the inning with a single. She swiped to second base. Audrey Kosman produced an RBI single to score Schmell as DSU cut MSU's lead to 3-1.
Dakota State rallied back to tie the game in the top sixth inning with two runs scored. Peyton Brokiewicz reached on base caused by MSU's defensive error. She stole to second base. Nicole Stewart reached on base by a fielder's choice.
Jasmin Lucero produced a 2-RBI double to score Brokiewicz and Stewart as the Trojans tied up the game at 3-3 in the top sixth.
Mayville State broke the 3-3 tie into a 6-3 lead after three runs scored in the bottom half of the sixth inning. The Comets scored the first run caused by DSU's defensive error. MSU added three singles to produce two runs as they widen their lead by three runs.
Dakota State's comeback bid in the top seventh inning fell short as they score a run. Emma Marsh kicked off the seventh with a double. Brokiewicz hit an RBI double with two outs to score Kasey Randall, pinch runner for Marsh, as DSU cut MSU's lead to 6-4.
Schmell added a single to advance Brokiewicz to third, but the Comets secured the game by recording the final out of the seventh inning.
Schmell was 3-of-4 at the plate with three singles and recorded a stolen base for the Trojans. Brokiewicz added two hits, an RBI and swiped two bases. Lucero had a double and drove in two runs. Kosman had a hit and an RBI. Marsh had a double.
Sheridan went 3-of-4 with a home run, two singles and tallied four RBIs for the Comets. Ishikawa added three hits. Nina Gurgian had two hits. Coronado registered a double.
Mayville State outhit Dakota State 10-9 in the game. MSU left eight runners on base compared to DSU five runners left on base.
Kaysea Luna started the game on the pitching mound for Dakota State. She worked the first three innings and allowed three runs on six hits. She recorded four strikeouts. Kosman (L, 1-2) took the loss after working three innings in relief. She gave up three runs (one unearned) on four hits.
Shaye Kemball (W, 1-2) tossed a complete game victory for Mayville State (N.D.). She gave up four runs on nine hits.
Game 2 – Dakota State (S.D.) 3, Mayville State (N.D.) 1 – FINAL
Dakota State used a fast start in the second game and held off the Comets 3-1 to earn a doubleheader split at Presentation Dome.
The Trojans exploded for two runs in the bottom first inning. Brokiewicz fueled the Trojans' offense with a double. Stewart recorded an RBI double to score Brokiewicz to give DSU a 1-0 lead.
Dakota State made it 2-0 after Lucero's RBI single to score Stewart in the first inning.
DSU added a run in the bottom second frame. Kelly Drake led off with a walk followed by Kailee McFadden's single to advance Drake to second base. After Brokiewicz's fielder choice (Drake was out at third base), Schmell hit an RBI single to score McFadden as the Trojans widen their lead to 3-0.
Ishikawa's RBI single in the top third inning scored the first run of the game for the Comets. DSU held a 3-1 lead.
The Trojans secured the game as the Comets left a runner in the top seventh inning.
Brokiewicz had a double, single and a run scored in the game for Dakota State. Schmell added two singles and an RBI. Stewart and Lucero each had a hit and an RBI. Ronke and Marsh each added a single.
Gurgian had two hits for Mayville State. Ishikawa had a single and an RBI. Coronado, Daisy Macias and Haley Kravetz each recorded a hit.
DSU outhit MSU 10-6 in the game. Both teams left seven runners on base.
Drake (W, 2-2) earned a complete game victory for the Trojans. She limited the Comets to one run on six hits. She struck out three MSU's batters.
Kravetz (L, 0-2) recorded the loss after pitching six innings. She allowed three runs on ten hits. She recorded three strikeouts.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director