March 9, 2019
TUCSON, Ariz. – Xitlali Lopez and Tatum Ronke each hit a 3-run home run, propelling Dakota State (S.D.) to a 9-4 victory over Roosevelt (Ill.) on the final day of Tucson (Ariz.) Invitational Games at Lincoln Park. The Trojans scored at least a run from second through fifth innings.
DSU improved to 3-7 overall record. Roosevelt remained winless in eight games to start their 2019 season.
Dakota State earned the first lead of the game in the bottom second frame, thanks to Taylor Poe's RBI double. Sarah Torres reached safely on base cause by RU's defensive error with two outs, followed by Poe's double to score Torres for DSU's 1-0 lead.
The Trojans plated three runs in the bottom third to widen their lead by four runs. With Quinn Motichka on first base with two outs, Nicole Stewart hi a single and advanced Motichka to second base. Lopez blasted a 3-run home run to balloon DSU's lead to 4-0. It was Lopez's third home run this season.
The Lakers scored twice in the top fourth inning, highlighted by Camryn Mayo's double and Sara Russell's RBI single. Roosevelt trimmed Dakota State's lead to 4-2.
The first three Trojan batters in the bottom fourth inning reached safely on base, scoring three runs. Torres was hit-by-pitch, followed by Poe's single to advance Torres to second base. Tatum Ronke blasted a 3-run home run to expand DSU's lead to 7-2. It was Ronke's fourth home run this season, increasing her career home runs to 16 (tied for second-most all-time home runs at DSU with Nicole Stewart).
Dakota State scored two more runs in the bottom fifth. Stewart led off with a double. Lopez followed up with a single and advanced Hope Johnson (pinch runner for Stewart) to second base. Annalisa Ingui produced an RBI single to score Johnson to make it 8-2 in favor of the Trojans (Kailee MaFadden – pinch runner for Lopez – advanced to second base).
Poe added an RBI single to score McFadden to extend DSU's lead to 9-2 in the bottom fifth. The Trojans were unable to end the game in eight-run mercy rule after leaving the bases full.
Roosevelt scored twice in the top sixth inning with Emily Berni's RBI walk and a defensive miscue caused by Dakota State (DSU led 9-4).
The Lakers left a runner on base when the game ended, securing the win for the Trojans.
DSU's Lopez finished the game by going 2-of-4 at the plate with a home run, single and collected three RBIs. Ronke added a home run and recorded three RBIs. Stewart extended her hitting streak from last season to 13 games with a double and a single. Poe was perfect at the plate by going 3-of-3 with a double, two singles and drove in two runs. Melissa Krapf and Ingui each had a hit. Ingui recorded an RBI.
Haley Huss, Cam Wicker and Camryn Mayo each had a double for RU. Berni had a hit and an RBI. Aisley Njissang, Kelly Farmer and Wicker each had a single. Russell and Amber Green each registered a hit and an RBI.
DSU outhit RU 10-9 in the game. The Lakers left 10 runners on base compared to the Trojans' four runners left on base.
Stefani Gollin (W, 2-2) earned a complete game victory in the pitching circle for Dakota State. She allowed four runs (two unearned) on nine hits.
Brinn Arwood (L, 0-1) recorded the loss after pitching three innings for Roosevelt. She gave up four runs (one unearned) on four hits. Madison Lentz worked the fourth inning in relief, allowing three runs on two hits. Brianna McCormick gave up two runs on four hits in two innings.
Dakota State wraps up the Tucson Invitational Games Saturday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. versus Aquinas (Mich.). First pitch is set for 4:30 p.m. at Lincoln Park.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
