February 18, 2018
ABERDEEN, S.D. – York (Neb.) jumped to a 6-1 lead Sunday afternoon in Dakota State's (S.D.) first game of the Presentation (S.D.) Softball Dome Tournament. The Panthers' halted Trojans' comeback in the final inning to hang on to an 8-5 victory.
Dakota State fell to 0-4 overall record. York earned their first victory of the season, improving to 1-6 overall record.
York grabbed the first lead of the game in the bottom second inning after Samantha Adami's RBI single for 1-0 lead.
Nicole Stewart blasted a solo home run as the Trojans knotted the game at 1-1 in the top third inning. It was her first home run of the season, her ninth career home run at Dakota State.
The Panthers scored four runs in the bottom third frame to break the 1-1 tie into a 5-1 lead. YC produced three singles by Maricela Romero, Laura Leos and Lia Hamamoto (RBI) and a 3-run home run by Alysia Rodriguez.
Hamamoo added an RBI single to extend York's lead to 6-1 in the bottom fourth inning.
Dakota State snapped their scoring drought with two runs scored in the top sixth inning. Xitlali Lopez led off with a solo home run – her first home run this season – as the Trojans cut York's lead to 6-2.
Peyton Brokiewicz followed up with a single and advanced to second base after Taylor Poe's ground out in the top sixth. Audrey Kosman drilled an RBI double to center, scoring Brokiewicz as DSU trimmed YC's lead to 6-3.
Hamamoto answered with a 2-run home run as York's lead grew to 8-3 in the bottom sixth frame.
The Trojans mounted a comeback in the top seventh inning, starting off with four consecutive batters reaching safely on base. Kailee McFadden led off with a walk. Stewart followed up with a double to advance McFadden to third base.
Jasmin Lucero hit a single and scored McFadden as DSU reduced their deficit to 8-4 with no outs (Erin Newbury – pinch runner for Stewart advanced to third and Lucero advanced to second on throw).
Lopez produced an RBI single to score Newbury as Dakota State trailed 8-5, advancing Lucero to third base.
The Panthers stopped Trojans' comeback as they left two runners on third and second base when the game ended.
Stewart was perfect 4-of-4 at the plate for Dakota State. She had a home run, double, two singles and drove in a run. Lopez added a home run, two singles and collected two RBIs. Kosman had a double and an RBI. Lucero tallied two singles. Brokiewicz had a single.
Hamamoto led the Panthers as she went 4-of-4 at the plate with a home run, three singles and recorded three RBIs. Rodriguez added a home run and three RBIs. Adami had three hits. Anissia Munoz had a double and a single.
York outhit Dakota State 13-11 in the game. The Trojans left nine runners on base while the Panthers had seven runners left on base.
Kelly Drake (L, 0-1) tossed a complete game, despite the loss in the pitching circle for DSU. She allowed eight runs on 13 hits.
Rodriguez (W, 1-2) earned a complete game victory for YC. She gave up five runs (two unearned) on 11 hits. She recorded five strikeouts.
Dakota State looks for their first win of the season as they continue their action at the Presentation Softball Dome. The Trojans play Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) at 4 p.m.
