March 8, 2017
Photo credits by Scott Voigt
TUCSON, Ariz. – Dakota State (S.D.) raced to a 4-0 lead Wednesday morning in the Tucson (Ariz.) Softball Invitational at Lincoln Park North, but could not hold on to their lead as Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) scored nine unanswered runs to gain a 9-4 victory. The Tigers scored a combined seven runs in the fifth and sixth innings to secure the victory.
Dakota State fell to 8-7 overall record. Olivet Nazarene, receiving votes at No. 27 spot in the NAIA Softball Coaches' Preseason Top 25 national poll, improved their overall record to 4-4.
The Trojans earned a 2-0 opening lead in the first inning. Peyton Brokiewicz led off with a walk, followed by Kayla Schmell's sacrifice bunt to advance Brokiewicz to second base. Nicole Stewart produced an RBI double to score Brokiewicz to give DSU its first lead of the game at 1-0.
Jasmin Lucero added a single in the top first inning, followed by Tatum Ronke's single to set up bases loaded and two out situation. Dakota State made it 2-0 after Kelly Drake hit an RBI single to score Stewart.
DSU added two runs in the top second inning to widen their lead to 4-0. Kailee McFadden kicked off the second inning with a walk for the Trojans. Brokiewicz hit a single to advance McFadden to third base. Brokiewicz swiped to second base.
Schmell followed that up with a 2-RBI single to score McFadden and Brokiewicz to extend Trojans' lead to four runs in the top second frame.
Olivet Nazarene answered back with two runs scored in the bottom half of the second inning, highlighted by Kristina Shahan's 2-RBI double. The Trojans held a 4-2 lead after the end of the second inning.
The Tigers exploded for four runs in the bottom fifth inning to overtake a 6-4 lead. Miranda Southall had an RBI single, while Megan Semro added a 2-RBI single, followed by Morgan Winkler's RBI sacrifice fly to produce four runs.
Samantha Alberto, Semro and Kelly Rinker each hit an RBI single to score three runs in the bottom sixth inning, extending ONU's lead to 9-4.
Dakota State could not make a comeback in the final inning, leaving a runner on first base.
Lucero was 3-of-4 at the plate with three singles for the Trojans. Schmell added two singles and drove in two runs. Brokiewicz had a single and scored twice. Stewart registered a double and an RBI. Drake had a hit and an RBI. Ronke and McFadden each had a hit.
Semro was 4-of-4 at the plate with four singles and recorded three RBIs for the Tigers. Rinker added three singles. Emily Carstens and Alyssa Pusateri each had two singles. Alberto had two hits and an RBI. Shahan had a double and two RBIs.
Olivet Nazarene outhit Dakota State 17-10 in the game. The Tigers left nine runners on base compared to the Trojans seven runners left on base.
Drake (L, 3-4) recorded the loss after tossing a complete game for DSU. She allowed nine runs on 17 hits and struck out four ONU's batters.
Carstens (W, 3-1) earned a complete game victory in the pitching circle for ONU. She gave up four runs on 10 hits and recorded six strikeouts.
Dakota State looks to bounce back in the winning column as they face Hiram (Ohio) Wednesday afternoon. The game will be held at Lincoln Park North in Tucson, Ariz.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
