March 9, 2020
TUCSON, Ariz. – Despite trailing 2-1 through the first four innings on the first day of the Tucson (Ariz.) Softball Invitational Monday evening at Lincoln Park, Dakota State (S.D.) rallied back to hold a 4-3 victory over Embry-Riddle (Ariz.). The victory gave DSU's head coach Rachel Fricke her first career collegiate coaching win.
Dakota State halted their eight-game losing streak, improving their overall record to 1-8. Embry-Riddle fell to 9-8 overall record.
The Trojans play Doane (Neb..) in the second game of the tournament Monday evening.
Dakota State (S.D.) 4, Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) 3 – FINAL
- The Trojans took the first lead of the game in the top first. Elizabeth Whitesides led off with a single. She swiped to second base. Vinitzia Blanco reached safely on base by Eagles' defensive error, allowing Whitesides to score for DSU's 1-0 lead.
- ERU scored twice in the bottom half of the first inning, caused by a defensive error by the Trojans. The Eagles grabbed a 2-1 lead after the first frame.
- Embry-Riddle added a run in the bottom second after a defensive miscue committed by DSU, extending the Eagles' lead to 3-1.
- Dakota State ended its scoring drought in the top fifth inning, plating two runs to tie the game. Sarah Torres reached on base by a walk. She advanced to second base on a stolen base. Blanco drilled an RBI double to score Torres as the Trojans trailed 3-2.
- Julia Anderson reached on base by a walk, followed by Xitlali Lopez reaching safely on base caused by ERU's defensive miscue. The Trojans set up a bases loaded situation. Andersen scored home by a stolen base with two outs as DSU knotted the game at 3-3.
- Dakota State grabbed its first lead of the game in the top sixth, thanks to an RBI triple by Whitesides to score Melissa Krapf who led off with a walk.
- DSU secured the victory as the Eagles left a runner on base when the game ended.
- Whitesides led the Trojans' offense attack with a triple, single and drove in a run. Blanco added a double, single and an RBI. Torres and Madison Aldendifer each added a hit. Andersen, Adlendifer, Whitesides, Lopez, and Torres each swiped one base. Krapf reached on base by a walk twice.
- Kate Delaney and Haley Basye each had a hit and a run scored for Embry-Riddle. Aleena Alexander added a single.
- DSU outhit ERU 6-3 in the game. Both teams committed three defensive errors in the game. The Trojans left nine runners on base compared to the Eagles eight runners left on bae.
- Lopez (W, 1-1) earned her first complete game victory of the season in the pitching circle for Dakota State. She allowed three unearned runs on three hits.
- Carly Carlsen started the game for the Embry-Riddle, tossing two innings and giving up one unearned run on one hit. Kate Delany (L, 0-4) recorded the loss after working five innings in relief. She gave up three runs (one unearned) on five hits.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director