April 13, 2019
ABERDEEN, S.D. – Dakota State (S.D.) exploded for five runs in the bottom third in the North Star Athletic Association four-game series opener late Saturday night, holding off Presentation's (S.D.) late comeback for a 5-3 victory. It was the Senior Day weekend for the Trojans, despite the recent winter storm forcing to relocate the four-game series at PC Dome.
The Trojans have five seniors on this year's roster – Peyton Brokiewicz, Stefani Gollin, Jayme Knauer, Taylor Poe and Tatum Ronke. The Trojans were originally scheduled to host its final home NSAA four-game weekend series.
Dakota State improved to 6-24 overall record and 3-12 record in league play. Presentation fell to 3-28 overall record and 2-13 NSAA conference record. Both teams will play a rare tripleheader Sunday, with the first game starting at 12 p.m.
After two scoreless innings, the Trojans scored the first runs of the game in the bottom third frame. Knauer led of with a single, but she was out at second base after Melissa Krapf's fielder choice. Quinn Motichka hit a single and advanced Krapf to second base. Nicole Stewart produced an RBI single to score Krapf for DSU's first lead of the game at 1-0 (Motichka advanced to second base).
Xitlali Lopez followed up a single to set up a bases loaded situation with one out in the bottom third for DSU. Ronke reached safely on base caused by PC's defensive miscue to score Motichka, extending Trojans' lead to 2-0.
Sarah Torres drilled a 2-RBI double to score Stewart and Lopez, ballooning Trojans' lead to 4-0 (Ronke advanced to third base). Annalisa Ingui hit an RBI single with two outs, scoring Ronke to widen Dakota State' lead to 5-0.
Presentation broke their scoring drought with a run scored in the top sixth inning. Cortni Mendoza led off with a single and swiped to second base. Cherie Malacas hit a single and advanced Mendoza to third bae. Krystle Schweers hit an RBI bunt fielder's choice to score Mendoza as the Saints trailed 5-1.
The Saints hit a pair of extra-base hits in the top seventh frame with two outs. Madison Brink reached on base by a walk with one out. Mendoza smashed an RBI triple to score Brink as PC cut DSU's lead to 5-2.
Malacas followed up with an RBI double as the Saints trimmed Trojans' lead to 5-3. Dakota State secured the game by recording the final out, leaving a runner on second base when the game ended.
Motichka finished the game by going 3-of-4 at the plate with a double, two singles and a run scored for DSU. Torres added a double, single and drove in a game-high two runs. Poe hit a double. Ingui recorded a single and an RBI. Krapf, Stewart, Lopez and Knauer each had a hit.
Mendoza and Malacas each went 2-of-4 at the plate with an RBI for PC. Mendoza had a triple and single while Malacas had a double and single. Schweers also had an RBI. Jadwyn Parrish had a hit.
The Trojans tallied 11 hits in the game compared to the Saints five hits. DSU left seven runners on base while PC had six runners left on base.
Lopez (W, 4-8) tossed a complete game victory for Dakota State. She allowed three runs on five hits and recorded four strikeouts.
Bibiana Villeda (L, 3-14) recorded the loss in the pitching circle for Presentation, despite pitching a complete game. She gave up five runs (one unearned) on 11 hits.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
