March 5, 2018
TUCSON, Ariz. – Dakota State (S.D.) kicked off their week-long Tucson (Ariz.) Invitational at Lincoln Park Monday. The Trojans were originally scheduled to play Fisher (Mass.) in the first game, but travel issues in the Northeast region of the United States forced to cancel the game with DSU.
Dakota State faced No. 11-ranked University of Saint Francis (Ill.) in a non-conference action. The Fighting Saints held off Trojans' late comeback for a 10-7 victory. DSU fell to 3-8 overall record, while USF improved to 3-1 overall record.
Saint Francis jumped to an early 2-0 lead after hitting a 2-RBI single by Kayla Garcia in the first inning.
DSU answered back with two runs scored in the bottom half of the first inning. Melissa Krapf hit a single with one out. Nicole Stewart followed up with a 2-run home run blast to knot the game at 2-2.
It was Stewart's third home run this season and her 11th career home run at Dakota State (tied for second all-time home runs with three other players at DSU – Samantha Mitchell in 2014, Jessie Klingenberg from 2004-07 and Jeny Garst from 2003-05).
The Fighting Saints added a run after Anna Wetherell's RBI sacrifice fly for a 4-3 lead in the second inning.
USF exploded for four runs, thanks to Katelyn Rolniak's grand slam to expand their lead to 8-3.
Dakota State responded back with two runs in the bottom third frame. Tatum Ronke led off with a single. Krapf reached on base by USF's defensive error with one out and advanced Ronke to second base. Stewart followed up with a walk to set up a bases loaded situation for the Trojans.
Jasmin Lucero produced an RBI single to score Ronke as DSU trailed 8-4 in the bottom third. Xitlali Lopez followed up with another RBI single to score Krapf as Dakota State cut Saint Francis' lead to 8-4.
The Fighting Saints ballooned their lead to 10-4 in the top fourth inning after an RBI double by Ally Balandis and an RBI sacrifice fly by Garcia.
The Trojans scored a run in the bottom fifth inning. Lucero led off with a single and advanced to second base after Peyton Brokiewicz's sacrifice bunt. Audrey Kosman produced an RBI single to score Lucero as DSU trimmed USF's lead down to 10-5.
DSU continued their comeback's attempt after scoring two more runs in the bottom sixth inning. Krapf reached on base by a walk with two outs. Stewart followed up with her second 2-run home run of the game as Dakota State trailed 10-7.
It was Stewart's fourth home run this season, her 12th career home run at DSU (currently second most career home runs in the Trojan Softball record book).
The Trojans were unable to score in the final inning as USF secured the win.
Stewart led Dakota State with two home runs and drove in four runs. Krapf added two singles and scored three times. Lucero had two hits and an RBI. Lopez and Kosman each had a single and an RBI. Taylor Poe and Ronke each had a single.
Rolniak had a grand slam and four RBIs for the Fighting Saints. Balandis added a double, two singles and an RBI. Wetherell had two hits and an RBI. Garcia had a single and registered three RBIs.
Both teams recorded 10 hits in the game. DSU left six runners on base compared to USF two runners left on base.
Kelly Drake (L, 0-3) took the loss in the pitching circle after working three innings for DSU. She allowed 10 runs (4 unearned) on 10 hits. Stefani Gollin tossed four shutout innings in relief.
Jensen Tchorzynski (W, 1-0) earned the victory after pitching 5 2/3 innings for USF. She gave up seven runs (one unearned) on ten hits. Morghan Dieringer (S, 1) earned the save after pitching 1 1/3 shutout innings, retiring four straight Trojans' batters.
Dakota State will take a day off on Tuesday and return back to action on Wednesday in the Tucson Invitational. The Trojans play Madonna (Mich.) at 4:30 p.m. and Grace (Ind.) at 7 p.m. on Wednesday. Both games will be on Field No. 3 at Lincoln Park.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
