March 8, 2017
Photo credits by Scott Voigt
TUCSON, Ariz. – Dakota State (S.D.) exploded for six runs with two outs in the first inning in the second game of the tripleheader Wednesday afternoon versus Hiram (Ohio) in the Tucson (Ariz.) Softball Invitational at Lincoln Park North. The Trojans bounced back in the winning column with a 6-3 victory over the Terriers.
Dakota State improved their overall record to 9-7, surpassing their last year's wins total and most victories since 2014. Hiram, a member of NCAA Division III, fell to 2-3 overall record.
With runners on second and first bases in the top first inning for DSU, Tatum Ronke produced an RBI single to score Nicole Stewart to give the Trojans a 1-0 lead. Peyton Brokiewicz followed with an RBI single to score Jasmin Lucero to extend DSU's lead to 2-0.
Emma Marsh drilled a 2-RBI double to score Ronke and Brokiewicz, widening Dakota State's lead to 4-0 with two outs in the top first frame. Kaysea Luna recorded a walk. Megan Zephier hit a 2-RBI double to score Marsh and Luna as Trojans ballooned their lead to 6-0.
Hiram snapped their scoring drought with a run scored in the bottom third frame. Heather Pahoresky led off with a single. Makenzie Dombrowski hit a sacrifice to advance Pahoresky to second base. Nikki Bunder added another sacrifice hit to advance Pahoresky to third base. The Terriers scored its first run of the game as Kourtney Holcomb produced an RBI single to score Pahoresky (DSU leads 6-1).
HC scored twice in the bottom fifth inning, cutting Trojans' lead to 6-3. Pahoresky was hit-by-pitch with on eout. Budner hit an RBI double to score Pahoresky as HC trailed 6-2. After Holcomb's walk, Marley Oles recorded an RBI single to score Budner as the Trojans held on to a 6-3 lead.
The Terriers left a runner on first base in the final inning as Dakota State held on to a three-run victory.
Zephier was 2-of-3 at the plate with a double, single and drove in two runs for the Trojans. Kailee McFadden added two singles. Ronke was 2-of-4 at the plate with two singles and an RBI. Marsh had a double and two RBIs. Kayla Schmell, Jasmin Lucero and Brokiewicz each had a hit. Brokiewicz recorded an RBI. Stewart, Lucero, Ronke, Brokiewicz, Marsh and Luna each scored once.
Budner, Holcomb and Oles each had a hit and an RBI for the Terriers. Brooklynn Grein and Pahoresky each had a single. Pahoresky scored twice in the game.
DSU outhit HC 10-6. The Terriers left seven runners on base compared to the Trojans six runners left on base.
Luna (W, 5-0) remained undefeated in the pitching circle after tossing a complete game victory for the Trojans. She allowed three runs on six hits and struck out three Hiram's batters.
Shalynn Call (L, 0-2) took the loss after giving up six unearned runs on five hits in the first inning. Brittany Zajac tossed five scoreless innings in relief, limiting the Trojans to five hits.
Dakota State concludes the day by playing the third game of the tripleheader. The Trojans take on Concordia (Neb.) with the first pitch set for 4:30 p.m. (Central Time)/3:30 p.m. (Mountain Time). The game will be held at Lincoln Park North on Field #6.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
