March 4, 2019
TUCSON, Ariz. – Dakota State (S.D.) earned a 6-2 lead after the first inning over Missouri Valley on the first day of the Tucson (Ariz.) Invitational Games Monday at Lincoln Park. The Vikings rallied back by using a pair of five-run innings and held off the Trojans 15-12 in a high-scoring affair. A total of 28 hits combined by both teams were recorded in the game.
Dakota State fell to 1-3 overall record. Missouri Valley earned its first win of the season, improving to 1-1 overall record.
MV led off the game by hitting three straight singles by Madison Alexander, Shelby Prather and Madison Finley. Finley produced an RBI single to score Alexander to give the Vikings a 1-0 lead. Emily Manhao added an RBI single to score Finley to extend Missouri Valley's lead to 2-0 in the top first.
DSU exploded for six runs in the bottom half of the first inning. With one out, Kailee McFadden and Nicole Stewart recorded back-to-back walks. Xitlali Lopez followed up with an RBI single to score McFadden, trimming MV's lead to 2-1 (Stewart advanced to second base).
Quinn Motichka hit a single to set up a bases loaded situation with one out for Dakota State in the bottom first, but Stewart was out at third base. Sarah Torres was hit-by-pitch for another bases loaded situation with two outs for DSU.
Taylor Poe registered an RBI walk to score Lopez, tying the game at 2-2 in the bottom first. Tatum Ronke smashed a grand slam as the Trojans grabbed a 6-2 lead. It was her second home run this season, extending her career home runs to 14 at Dakota State (third most career home runs at DSU).
The Vikings reduced their deficit to 6-3 in the top third inning after a passed ball committed by the Trojans.
Missouri Valley racked up five runs in the top fourth inning, highlighted by Manhao's 2-RBI single as the Vikings overtake a 8-6 lead.
MV produced another five-run inning in the top fifth frame, thanks to Finley's 3-RBI double. Manaho also added an RBI single to score Finley as the Vikings' lead ballooned to 13-6.
Dakota State ended their scoring drought with a run scored in the bottom fifth. Ronke hit a single with one out. Melissa Krapf recorded a walk and advanced Ronke to second base. McFadden hit a single with two outs to set up a bases loaded situation. Stewart hit an RBI single to score Ronke as DSU trailed 13-7.
The Trojans mounted a furious rally in the bottom sixth frame, scoring five runs. Motichka led off with a walk and advanced to second base after Torres' ground out. Poe hit a single to advance Motichka to third base. Ronke drilled an RBI double to score Motichka as the Trojans trimmed MV's lead to 13-8 (Poe to third base).
Krapf added a walk to set up a bases loaded situation with one out in the bottom sixth for DSU. Peyton Brokiewicz registered an RBI walk to score Poe as Dakota State trailed 13-9.
McFadden hit an RBI ground out to score Ronke as the Trojans cut Missouri Valley's lead to 13-10. Stewart followed up with a 2-RBI single to score Brokiewicz and McFadden as MV's lead went down by one run at 13-12.
The Vikings scored twice in the top seventh inning, thanks to a lead-off triple by Erin Hale. Hale scored caused by DSU's defensive miscue on the next at-bat by Danielle Carmona. The Vikings added a run after DSU's passed ball, widening their lead to 15-12.
Dakota State left a runner on base when the game ended, securing the victory for Missouri Valley.
Ronke led the Trojans' offensive attack by going 3-of-4 at the plate with a grand slam, double, single and drove in a game-high five RBIs. Stewart added two singles and collected three RBIs. Lopez had two hits and an RBI. McFadden and Poe each registered a hit and an RBI. Brokiewicz had an RBI. McFadden, Stewart and Krapf each had two walks.
Manhao produced three hits and recorded four RBIs for the Vikings. Finley added two hits and earned four RBIs. Shelby Prather had three hits. Hale and Alexander each had two hits and an RBI. Alexander swiped two bases. Carmona, Kelley James, Macy Belcher and Sara Jones each had a hit.
Missouri Valley tallied 16 hits in the game compared to Dakota State 12 hits. The Trojans left 11 runners on base while the Vikings had nine runners left on base.
Stefani Gollin (L, 0-2) was tabbed the loss in the pitching circle for DSU. She tossed six innings and allowed 10 runs (6 unearned) on 12 hits. She recorded five strikeouts. Annalisa Ingui worked for one inning in relief, giving up five runs on four hits.
Shelby Conklin started the game for MV. She pitched two innings and gave up six runs on three hits. Kaila DeWitt (W, 1-1) earned the win after tossing four innings and limited the Trojans to one run on six hits. Dana Flanagan pitched one inning in relief, allowing five runs on three hits.
Dakota State plays Siena Heights (Mich.) in the second day of the Tucson Invitational Games this afternoon at 2:30 p.m.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
