April 7, 2019
CASSELTON, N.D. – Mayville State (N.D.) swept Dakota State (S.D.) Sunday afternoon at Central Cass High School, winning the North Star Athletic Association softball four-game series. The Comets rallied back from 3-0 deficit to earn a 5-3 game one victory and closed out the series with 7-0 shutout victory over the Trojans.
DSU fell to 5-22 overall record and 2-10 record in North Star conference action. MSU lifted their overall record to 15-9 and 8-4 NSAA conference record.
Game 1 – Mayville State (N.D.) 5, Dakota State (S.D.) 3 – FINAL
After two scoreless innings, Dakota State grabbed the first lead of the game after plating three runs in the top third frame. Mayville State would score five unanswered runs to hold off the Trojans 5-3 in the third game of the four-game series.
Melissa Krapf led off the third inning with a single for Dakota State. She advanced to second base after Jayme Knauer's sacrifice bunt. Nicole Stewart reached on base caused by MSU's defensive error and advanced Krapf to third base. Xitlali Lopez produced an RBI single to score Krapf to give DSU a 1-0 lead (Stewart advanced to second base).
Tatum Ronke followed up with a hit-by-pitch to set up a bases loaded situation for the Trojans. Sarah Torres recorded an RBI fielder's choice to score Stewart for a 2-0 lead. On the same play, Lopez advanced to third and scored at home after the Comets committed a defensive error as DSU extended their lead to 3-0.
Mayville State answered back with three runs in the bottom half of the third inning, all three runs with two outs. Dayna Gutierrez hit a single, followed by Amanda Izzo's walk. Both Gutierrez and Izzo advanced one base, while Gutierrez reached home caused by DSU's defensive miscue as the Comets trailed 3-1
Shaye Kemball recorded a walk for MSU in the bottom third. Alissa Foster and Jade Ledochowski hit back-to-back RBI singles as Mayville State knotted the game at 3-3.
Gutierrez led off the bottom fifth with a double for the Comets. Izzo followed up with a bunt single and advanced Gutierrez to third base. Izzo swiped to second base. Kemball recorded an RBI ground out to score Gutierrez as MSU earned a 4-3 lead.
Mayville State made it 5-3 after Foster followed up with an RBI single to score Izzo in the bottom fifth frame.
Dakota State left two runners on base in the final inning, despite a hit-by-pitch by Krapf and a single by Lopez as the Comets secured the victory.
Lopez went 2-of-4 at the plate with two singles, RBI and a run scored for the Trojans. Krapf and Stewart each added a hit and an RBI. Torres earned an RBI. Ronke and Madison Aldendifer each had a single. Ronke swiped one base.
Gutierrez hit a double, single, stolen base and scored twice for MSU. Foster added two singles and two RBIs. Izzo had a single, two runs scored and swiped two bases. Ledochowski had a hit and an RBI. Tai Yamamoto and Aimee Fafard each registered a single.
Mayville State tallied eight hits in the game compared to Dakota State six hits. The Trojans left eight runners on base, while the Comets had four runners left on base.
Lopez (L, 3-7) took the loss in the pitching circle, despite tossing a complete game for DSU. She gave up five runs on eight hits.
Kemball (W, 7-4) pitched a complete game victory for MSU. She gave up three runs on six hits and recorded seven strikeouts.
Game 2 – Mayville State (N.D.) 7, Dakota State (S.D.) 0 – FINAL
Mayville State closed out the four-game series with a 7-0 shutout victory over Dakota State in the second game of the doubleheader.
Kemball produced an RBI in the bottom first inning to give MSU a 1-0 lead. She made it 2-0 in the bottom third inning after a lead-off home run.
Kemball produced a 2-RBI double with two outs to widen Mayville State's lead to 4-0 in the bottom fourth frame.
Mayville State plated three runs in the bottom sixth inning, highlighted by Kemball's 2-RBI double to balloon their lead to 7-0.
Krapf had a double for the Trojans. Stewart, Lopez, Ronke and Aldendifer each had a single. Ronke swiped one base.
Kemball finished the game with two doubles, a home run and drove in a game-high six runs for MSU. Gutierrez added three hits and registered three stolen bases. Izzo had two singles. Foster, Ledochowski, Lauren Spurgeon and Nicole Bunting each had a hit.
MSU outhit DSU 12-5 in the game. Both teams left six runners on base.
Aldendifer (L, 0-1) tabbed the defeat after working for 3 2/3 innings. She allowed four runs on eight hits. Knauer pitched 2 1/3 innings in relief, giving up three runs on four hits.
Annika Seedborg (W, 8-5) earned a complete game victory in the pitching circle for Mayville State. She limited the Trojans to five hits and recorded six strikeouts.
Up Next
Dakota State continues their North Star conference action on the road at Bellevue (Neb.) Tuesday. It was originally scheduled for Wednesday, but with the incoming spring storm that will impact the Midwest region during the mid-week had prompted to move back one day. The doubleheader will be held at Roy Smith Field in Omaha, Neb. First game is scheduled for 4 p.m.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
