February 19, 2021

ABERDEEN, S.D. – Dakota State (S.D.) earned its first softball victory of the season Friday afternoon, holding off College of Saint Mary (Neb.) 2-1 on the first day of the Fairfield Inn & Suites PC Dome Classic on the campus of Presentation (S.D.).

The Trojans finished the first day with a split (1-1 record).  The Flames fell to 0-2 overall record after falling to North Star Athletic Association's fellow Valley City State (N.D.) 9-0 earlier in the day Friday.

It was the first meeting between the Trojans and the Flames since March 25, 2012 where the Trojans won by the score of 10-2 in Omaha, Neb.

DSU closes out the tournament on Saturday afternoon with another two contests against members of the Great Plains Athletic Conference.  The Trojans face No. 20-ranked Morningside (Iowa) in the first game at 12 p.m., and conclude the day versus Jamestown (N.D.) at 4 p.m.

Dakota State (S.D.) 2, College of Saint Mary (Neb.) 1 – FINAL

• The Trojans were unable to score in the bottom of the first frame, despite leading off with a walk by Melissa Krapf followed by a single by Madison Aldendifer.
• Jacquelyn Folkers drilled a double with one out in the bottom second frame.  Mackenzie Sims reached on base by a walk.  Both Folkers and Sims swiped one base.  Folkers was tagged out at home after Elizabeth Whitesides fielder's choice.
• Krapf recorded a walk to set up a bases loaded with two outs situation for the Trojans in the bottom second.  Aldendifer produced an RBI walk to score Sims to give DSU a 1-0 lead.
• Dakota State's lead grew to 2-0 after an RBI single by Torres to score Whitesides in the bottom second inning.
• The Flames ended their scoring drought with a run scored in the top fourth frame, highlighted by Abby Straight's double with one out.  Alexis Howe hit a single to advance Straight to third base.  Ashley Trendle had an RBI single to score Straight as CSM trimmed DSU's lead to 2-1.
• College of Saint Mary did not score in the final inning as they left a runner on second base, securing the victory for Dakota State.
• Folkers had a double for DSU.  Sims and Whitesides each added a single and a run scored.  Aldendifer and Torres each produced a single and an RBI.  Krapf reached on base by a walk twice. 
• Whitesides recorded two stolen bases for the Trojans.  Folkers, Sims and Julia Andersen each swiped one base.  Aldendifer, Xitlali Lopez, Xotchil Lopez and Sims each had a walk.
• Howe was 2-of-3 at the plate for the Flames.  Straight had a double and a run scored.  Trendle registered a single and an RBI.  She had a walk.
• CSM outhit DSU 6-5 in the game.  The Trojans left eight runners on base compared to the Flames six runners left on base.
• Madison Biller (W, 1-0) picked up a victory in her debut with Dakota State.  She tossed five innings and limited the Flames to one earned run on five hits.  She struck out four CSM's batters.  Xotchil Lopez (S, 1) earned the save after pitching two scoreless innings.  She limited the Flames to one hit.
• Mickayla Larsen (L, 0-1) suffered the defeat after giving up two runs on three hits for College of Saint Mary.  Straight tossed four scoreless innings in relief, yielding two hits.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director