March 8, 2017

Photo credits by Scott Voigt

TUCSON, Ariz. – Concordia (Neb.) opened up with a three-run lead over Dakota State (S.D.) in the third game of the tripleheader Wednesday afternoon at Lincoln Park North as part of the Tucson (Ariz.) Softball Invitational.  The Bulldogs never looked back as they defeated the Trojans by the score of 5-1.

Dakota State dropped their overall record to 9-8.  Concordia, a member of the Great Plains Athletic Conference, lifted their overall record to 12-5.

The Bulldogs kicked off the first inning with three runs scored.  Jamie Lefebure reached on base caused by DSU's defensive error.  Megan Ruppert followed up with a walk to advance Lefebure to second base.  Kylie Harpst hit a 2-RBI double to score Lefebure and Ruppert for 2-0 CU lead.

Leah Kalkwarf added an RBI single to score Harpst to widen Concordia's lead to 3-0 with two outs in the top first frame.

The Trojans answered with one run in the bottom half of the first inning.  Kayla Schmell hit a single with one out.  Nicole Stewart reached on base by a walk to advance Schmell to second base.  Jasmin Lucero produced an RBI single to score Schmell as DSU cut the Bulldogs' lead to 3-1.

Schmell drilled a triple with one out in the bottom third inning, but Dakota State was unable to convert their scoring opportunity.

Taryn Thomas and Amanda Wygant hit back-to-back RBI singles to extend Concordia's lead to 5-1 in the top fifth inning.

The Trojans left a runner on first base in the final inning, securing the victory for the Bulldogs.

Schmell was 2-of-4 at the plate with a triple and a single for Dakota State.  Lucero added two singles and an RBI.  Kailee McFadden and Tatum Ronke each had a single.

Harpst and Thomas each went 2-of-4 at the plate for Concordia.  Harpst had a double and drove in two runs.  Thomas produced an RBI.  Kalkwarf and Wygant each had a hit and an RBI.  Lefebure had a single.

Both teams had seven hits in the game.  The Trojans committed three defensive errors compared to the Bulldogs zero errors.  CU left nine runners on base compared to DSU seven runners left on base.

Drake (L, 3-5) recorded the loss, despite pitching a complete game for DSU.  She gave up five runs (two unearned) on seven hits.  She struck out four CU's batters.

Wygant (W, 1-1) earned a complete game victory for Concordia.  She limited the Trojans to one hit on seven hits.

Dakota State will take a day off before returning back to action with a tripleheader on Friday.  The Trojans take on St. Francis (Ill.), Judson (Ill.) and Arizona Christian at Lincoln Park North Field #6. 

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director