March 7, 2018
Photo credit by Scott Voigt
TUCSON, Ariz. – Trailing 12-8 after the first three innings in the nightcap of the Tucson (Ariz.) Softball Invitational at Lincoln Park Field No. 3 Thursday evening, Dakota State (S.D.) outscored Grace (Ind.) 13-2 in the final three innings of the game for a 21-14 high-scoring victory. It was the most runs scored for the Trojans this season and first time since 2012-13 season that DSU scored at least 20 runs.
Dakota State improved their overall record to 4-9, Grace, a member of the Crossroads League, fell to 4-5 overall record.
The Trojans earned the first lead of the game in the top first inning. Kailee McFadden kicked off the game with a single. Jasmin Lucero reached safely on base by GC's defensive error with two outs and advanced McFadden to second base. Peyton Brokiewicz drilled a 2-RBI double to score McFadden and Lucero for DSU's 2-0 lead.
Grace scored once in the bottom half of the first frame caused by DSU's defensive error (DSU led 2-1).
Audrey Kosman led off the second inning with a single for Dakota State. Taylor Poe followed up with a sacrifice bunt to advance Kosman to second base. McFadden reached on base by GC's defensive error to allow Kosman score, extending Trojans' lead to 3-1.
Mariah Roman answered back with a 2-run home run as the Lancers knotted the game at 3-3 with two outs in the bottom second inning.
Dakota State continued its scoring surge as they rack up five runs in the top third inning for an 8-3 lead. Jasmin Lucero produced an RBI single to score Nicole Stewart, who led off with a double. Brokiewicz, Kosman and McFadden each added an RBI single in the third inning.
Grace exploded for nine runs in the bottom third inning to overtake a 12-8 lead.
Both teams did not score in the fourth inning.
DSU started their offensive explosive with six runs scored in the top fifth inning to regain their lead. Kosman led off with a single and advanced to second base after Poe's ground out. With bases loaded situation (Tatum Ronke reached on base by GC's defensive error and McFadden's walk), Melissa Krapf hit a 2-RBI double to score Kosman and Ronke as Trojans reduced their deficit to 12-10.
Trojan Nicole Stewart followed up with a 2-RBI single to score McFadden and Krapf, tying the game at 12-12 in the fifth inning. Xitlali Lopez blasted a 2-run home run as Dakota State earned a 14-12 lead.
Dakota State scored four more runs in the top sixth frame, highlighted by an RBI double by Ronke and McFadden. Stewart also hit a 2-RBI double to balloon Trojans' lead to 18-12.
Ashley Kleinbub smashed a 2-run home run in the bottom sixth as Grace cut DSU's lead to 18-14.
After the first two outs recorded in the top seventh inning, five DSU batters reached safely on base to produce three more runs. Krapf had an RBI single, followed by Stewart's 2-RBI single to extend Trojans' lead to 21-14.
The Lancers could not convert their scoring chances in the bottom half of the seventh, securing the win for DSU.
Five Trojans players recorded multi-hits in the game, led by McFadden, Stewart and Kosman each with four hits. Stewart drove in a game-high six RBIs. Krapf and Brokiewicz each tallied three RBIs. Luerco, Lopez and Ronke each had a hit. Kosman and Lucero each swiped one base.
Sam Heim registered two hits and drove in two runs for the Lancers. Hannah Herbster, Chandler Elliott, Morgan Tapscott, Britney Young, Kleinbub, Bobb, Abby Mozingo and Roman each had a hit. Kleinbub, Bobb and Roman each collected two RBIs.
DSU outhit GC 19-10 in the game. The Trojans stranded seven runners on base compared to the Lancers four runners left on base.
Stefani Gollin started the game, tossing two innings for Dakota State. She gave up ten runs (three unearned) on five hits. Lopez (W, 4-1) earned the victory after working five innings in relief. She allowed four runs (one unearned) on five hits and recorded three strikeouts.
Dori Knight pitched two-plus innings and allowed six runs (four unearned) on six hits. Herbster (L, 1-2) suffered the loss in relief, after working 3 1/3 innings. She gave up ten runs (one unearned) on eight hits. Elliott and Hannah Middlebrooks also pitched in relief.
Dakota State returns back to action Friday morning with a pair of Michigan teams. The Trojans face Siena Heights (Mich.) at 10 a.m., followed by a game versus Aquinas (Mich.). Both games will be at Lincoln Park Field No. 4.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
