March 4, 2023

WICHITA, Kan. – Peru State (Neb.) stormed to an 11-0 lead after three innings in the first game on the second day of Friends (Kan.) softball tournament at Two Rivers Youth Softball Complex Saturday morning.  The Trojans could not overcome the Bobcats' fast start, falling by the score of 11-5 despite a five-run explosion in the bottom fourth.

Dakota State dropped to 0-11 overall record.  Peru State, a member of the Heart of America Athletic Conference, improved to 2-9 overall record.

The Trojans close out the preseason tournament schedule against the host-team (RV) Friends at 2 p.m.

Peru State (Neb.) 11, Dakota State (S.D.) 5 – FINAL

• Peru State plated two runs in the top first inning for a 2-0 lead, highlighted by Lanie Dryer's RBI double.
• The Bobcats poured in five runs in the second inning, ballooning their lead to 7-0.  PSC recorded three hits in the inning, while the Trojans committed three defensive miscues.
• Carlye Rothschild led off the top third frame with a double for Peru State.  Maddie Howard followed up with an RBI single to score Rothschild as the Bobcats' lead grew to 8-0.
• Andrea Page added a 2-RBI single to stretch Peru State's lead to 11-0 in the top third inning.
• Dakota State ended its scoring drought with a solo home run by Rebecca Hazlett in the bottom fourth, trailing 11-1.  It was her first career collegiate home run at DSU.
• The Trojans continued its offense attack with six straight hits, producing four runs.  Mason Usselman, Hannah McFarland, Grace Ortmeier, and Jadynn Alvarado hit four straight singles.
• Ortmeier produced an RBI single to score Delaney Gregor, pinch runner for Usselman, as DSU trailed 11-2 with one out in the bottom fourth.
• Jacquelyn Folkers added a 2-RBI double to score McFarland and Alvarado as DSU cut Peru State's lead to 11-4.
• Carrington Entringer wrapped up the bottom fourth with an RBI single to score Folkers, trailing 11-5 for Dakota State.
• Both teams did not score for the rest of the game.  Entringer smashed a triple with two outs in the bottom seventh for the Trojans and could not convert their scoring chance.
• DSU left two runners on base in the bottom seventh frame, despite a pair of singles from Michelle Evdos and Usselman. 
• Dakota State outhit Peru State 13-10 in the game.  The Trojans committed six defensive errors compared to the Bobcats one defensive miscue. 
• Usselman finished the game by going 3-of-3 at the plate and recorded a walk for DSU.  Hazlett added a home run and drove in two runs.  Folkers had a double and tallied two RBIs.
• Entringer collected a triple, single, and an RBI for DSU.  Evdos had two hits.  Ortmeier had a single and an RBI.  McFarland and Alvarado each had a hit.
• Page led the Bobcats with a hit and earned five RBIs.  Dreyer added a double and two RBIs.  Rothschild drilled two double sin the game.
• Howard hit two singles and drove in two runs for Peru State.  Morgan Wilke had a hit and an RBI. 
• Usselman (L, 0-3) took the loss in the pitching circle for DSU after working for one inning.  Ortmeier tossed six innings in relief, giving up three runs on six hits.  She registered three strikeouts.
• Cheyenne Leach pitched a complete game victory for Peru State.  She allowed five runs on 13 hits and recorded six strikeouts.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director