March 15, 2023

COLUMBIA, Mo. – After falling 9-1 in five innings in the first game of the non-conference softball doubleheader to host-team Stephens (Mo.) Wednesday afternoon, Dakota State (S.D.) snapped its losing skid in the second game after a five-run seventh inning explosion for a 9-7 victory.  The first all-time series meeting for both teams was held at Battle High School softball field.

Dakota State ended their 13-game losing skid, improving to 1-13 overall record.  Stephens, a member of the America Midwest Conference, is 6-12 overall record.

Dakota State's scheduled doubleheader at Tabor (Kan.) Thursday had been canceled due to incoming storm that will impact the Midwest region.  The Trojans are scheduled to open their North Star Athletic Association action next weekend at Waldorf (Iowa).  Stay tuned to DSU Athletics website or social media for future updates on schedule changes.

Game 1 – Stephens (Mo.) 9, Dakota State (S.D.) 1 – FINAL/5 innings

• Holding a 3-1 slim lead before entering the bottom fifth, the Stars poured in six runs to secure a five-inning victory in the first game.
• Dakota State was unable convert their scoring opportunity in the top first inning, despite leaving bases full.  Carrington Entringer led off with a single and swiped two bases to third base.  Alexus Foster and Michelle Evdos each registered a walk, while Stephens' defense halted DSU to score by recording three straight outs.
• Anabel Throckmorton and Lyndsey Hood led off the bottom half of the first inning with back-to-back singles for Stephens (Throckmorton advanced to third base after Hood's single).  Avery Throckmorton produced an RBI single to score An. Throckmorton for a 1-0 Stars lead (Hood advanced to third base).
• With bases loaded situation for the Stars, Lindsay Picha hit a fielder's choice as Hood was forced out at home.  Av. Throckmorton scored home on the same play after DSU couldn't complete their double play, defensively.
• Rebecca Hazlett blasted a lead-off solo home run in the top fourth frame as DSU trailed 2-1.
• The Stars had a bases loaded situation in the bottom fourth inning.  Stephens ended their lead to 3-1 after Elise Kendrick scored on DSU's passed ball with two outs.
• Stephens exploded for six runs in the bottom fifth with one out to secure the victory, highlighted by Mia Adriano's 2-RBI double, followed by Hood's RBI single to end the game.
• The Stars outhit the Trojans 12-5 in the game.  Both teams left five runners on base.
• Hazlett led DSU with a home run and an RBI.  Entringer had two singles and two stolen bases.  Foster tallied a single and two walks.  Hannah McFarland recorded a single.
• An. Throckmorton led the Start with a double, single and drove in two runs.  Av. Throckmorton added two singles and an RBI.  Hood tallied three singles and an RBI.  Adriano and Ellie Kliethermes each had a hit and an RBI. 
• Maycee Bricker (L, 0-5) took the setback in the pitching circle for DSU.  She tossed 4 1/3 innings and gave up nine runs on 12 hits.  She recorded five strikeouts.
• Stephens' Grace That (W, 3-3) earned a complete game victory after working for five innings.  She yielded one run on five hits and registered four strikeouts.

Game 2 – Dakota State (S.D.) 9, Stephens (Mo.) 7 – FINAL

• Despite falling behind 7-4 after six innings, Dakota State roared back in the top seventh inning with a five-run explosion and held on to secure their first win of the season.
• McFarland hit a single with one out in the top first frame for the Trojans.  Evdos followed up with an RBI double to score McFarland for DSU 1-0 lead.
• The Stars answered with a run scored in the bottom first after a defensive error by the Trojans, knotting the game at 1-1.
• Entringer ignited Dakota State's three-run production in the top fourth inning.  She smashed a triple with one out.  McFarland hit an RBI single to score Entringer to make it 2-1 in favor of Dakota State.
• Evdos followed up with a walk and advanced McFarland to second base in the top third.  Rosie Philop added a single to set up a bases loaded situation for the Trojans.
• Mason Usselman hit a 2-RBI single to score McFarland and Evdos as Dakota State ballooned their lead to 4-1.
• With runners on third and second bases with two outs in the bottom fifth, Kliethermes hit an RBI single, followed by Picha's 2-RBI double as the Stars rallied back to tie the game at 4-4.
• Stephens plated three more runs in the bottom sixth, highlighted by Av. Throckmorton's 2-RBI double followed by Aubrei Roland's RBI single to overtake a 7-4 lead.
• Dakota State mounted a furious comeback in the final inning.  McFarland reached on base after Stephens' defensive error.  Evdos drilled a double to advance McFarland to third base.
• Hazlett hit an RBI single to score McFarland as DSU trailed 7-5 (Foster, pinch runner for Evdos, advanced to third base) in the top seventh.  Philop added an RBI ground out to score Foster as DSU cut the Star's lead to 7-6.
• The Trojans continued their offense attack as Usselman hit a single.  Mackenzie Sims added a single and advanced Olivia Peterson, pinch runner for Usselman, to second base.
• Sophia Cordova blasted a 3-run home run as Dakota State regained their lead at 9-7 with two outs in the top seventh frame.
• The Stars left two runners on base when the game ended, securing the victory for the Trojans.
• Dakota State collected 13 hits in the game compared to Stephens 10 hits.
• Cordova finished the game with a home run and drove in three runs for DSU.  Evdos added two doubles, an RBI and recorded a walk.  McFarland had two singles and an RBI.  Hazlett and Philop each added a hit and an RBI.
• Jacquelyn Folkers recorded a double and single for Dakota State.  Entringer had a triple.  Sims had a hit. 
• Av. Throckmorton led the Stars with a double, single and drove in two runs.  An. Throckmorton added two singles and scored twice.  Picha had a double and two RBIs.  Roland registered a hit and an RBI.
• Usselman started the game in the pitching circle for Dakota State.  She worked for four innings and yielded the Starts to one run on two hits.  Cordova (W, 1-0) earned her first collegiate pitching victory after tossing three innings in relief. 
• Elise Kendrick (L, 1-6) took the defeat after pitching 6 2/3 innings, giving up eight runs on 12 hits.  Clara Pyle pitched the final out of the top seventh inning in relief. 

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director