March 27, 2018
SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Dakota State (S.D.) posted its second straight shutout victory with a 2-0 win over Briar Cliff (Iowa) in the first game of the non-conference softball doubleheader at Bishop Mueller Field Tuesday afternoon. Knotted 1-1 in the second game, the Trojans erupted for seven runs in the top eighth inning and held on to an 8-4 victory to complete a doubleheader sweep over the Chargers.
Dakota State earned its fifth win in the last six games, raising their overall record to 10-15. Briar Cliff fell to 3-14 overall record.
The Trojans return back to North Star Athletic Association conference action Friday and Saturday, taking on Presentation (S.D.). Stay tuned to the DSU Athletics' website for further updates on the game times and location of the four-game series.
Game 1 – Dakota State (S.D.) 2, Briar Cliff (Iowa) 0 – FINAL
The first game of the doubleheader was scoreless for the first five innings. Dakota State's offense exploded for two runs in the top sixth frame and held on to win their second straight shutout victory (defeated Mayville State, N.D. 6-0 on March 25 in Aberdeen, S.D. in the NSAA's four-game series finale).
Kailee McFadden led off the Trojans with a single in the top sixth. With two outs, Jasmin Lucero hit a single and advanced to advance McFadden to second base.
DSU scored its first run of the game after an RBI single by Xitlali Lopez to score McFadden in the sixth inning (Lucero advanced to third). The Trojans continued its scoring run as Peyton Brokiewicz followed up with an RBI single to score Lucero for 2-0 lead.
Briar Cliff left a runner on base in the final inning as Dakota State secured the victory.
McFadden and Lopez each had two singles for the Trojans. Nicole Stewart had a double in the first inning. Melissa Krapf, Brokiewicz, Lucero and Taylor Poe each recorded a hit. Lopez and Brokiewicz each collected an RBI. McFadden and Lucero each scored a run.
Rachele Heaton tallied a triple for the Chargers. Nicole Romero and Bailey Nichols each had a single.
Dakota State outhit Briar Cliff 9-3 in the game. The Chargers left seven runners on base compared to the Trojans six runners on base.
Stefani Gollin (W, 1-2) earned her first win of the season as she tossed a complete game for DSU. She yielded three hits and struck out seven BCU's batters.
BCU's Isabella Gonzalez (L, 0-4) tabbed the loss after working for 6 2/3 innings. She allowed two runs on nine hits. Lanae Shiley worked the final out of the top seventh inning in relief.
Game 2 – Dakota State 8, Briar Cliff (Iowa) 4 – FINAL
Neither team was able to cross the home plate in the four innings of the second game. The Chargers grabbed the first lead of the game at 1-0 in the bottom fifth inning after an RBI single Nicole Wiles to score Romero, who hit a double with one out.
The Trojans answered back in the top sixth inning with a run scored. McFadden kicked off the inning with a walk. Lucero drilled a two-out RBI double to score McFadden as DSU tied the game at 1-1.
Briar Cliff had a bases loaded with two out situations in the bottom seventh inning. DSU's Kelly Drake was able to close out the seventh inning after a struck-out looking to Nichols, forcing the game to go into extra inning.
Dakota State's offense came to an attack in the top eighth inning as they scored seven runs. With an international tie-break rule with Poe starting at second base, Tatum Ronke reached on base caused by BCU's defensive error and advanced Poe to third base.
McFadden recorded an RBI bunt single to score Poe as the Trojans gain a 2-1 lead in the top eighth inning (Ronke advanced to second). Ronke swiped to third base.
Pinch hitter Megan Zephier (for Krapf) continued its scoring surge as she produced an RBI single to score Ronke to extend DSU's lead to 3-1 (McFadden advanced to second base). The Trojans made it 4-1 after Stewart's RBI single to score McFadden (Krapf re-entered the game and advanced to second base). Lucero reached on base by a fielder's choice (Krapf was forced-out on third base).
With Erin Newbury (pinch runner for Stewart) on second base with two outs, Brokiewicz reached safely on base after a defensive error by the Chargers. On the same play, Newbury scored home as DSU's lead ballooned to 5-1 (Lucero advanced to third base).
Kosman followed up with an RBI single to score Lucero to make it 6-1 in favor of Dakota State in the top eighth inning (Brokiewicz advanced to second base). Poe was safe at first base after BCU's defensive miscue, setting up a bases loaded situation for DSU.
The Trojans widen their lead to 8-1 after Ronke produced a 2-RBI single to score Brokiewicz and Kosman.
With bases loaded situation in the bottom half of the eighth inning, Brooke French hit an RBI sacrifice fly to score Nichols as BCU trimmed DSU's lead to 8-2. The Chargers added two runs to reduce their deficit by four runs, but the Trojans secured the victory as BCU left a runner on third base.
Lucero was 2-of-4 at the plate with a double, single and an RBI for Dakota State. Stewart added two singles and an RBI. McFadden had a single, RBI and reached on base by a walk two times. Zephier and Kosman each had a hit and an RBI. Ronke recorded a single, stolen base and two RBIs.
Brenna Oliver and Romero each were 2-of-3 with a double and a run scored for Briar Cliff. Wiles added two hits and swiped one base. Heaton had a single.
DSU outhit BCU 8-7 in the game. The Chargers committed four defensive errors compared to the Trojans one defensive miscue. Both teams left six runners on base.
Drake (W, 3-5) pitched a complete game victory for Dakota State. She gave up four runs (one unearned) on seven hits. She registered two strikeouts.
Shiley (L, 1-3) recorded the loss as she tossed seven-plus innings for Briar Cliff. She allowed three runs on five hits. Gonzalez worked for two outs in relief, giving up three runs (one unearned) on two hits. Abbygail Lint worked for one out after allowing two runs on one hit.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
