February 16, 2024

MADISON, S.D. – Dakota State (S.D.) was unable to hold on to their 3-1 lead with Briar Cliff (Iowa) heading into the final inning in the second game of the American State Bank Sports Complex Classic, hosted by Dordt (Iowa) Friday afternoon.  The Chargers rallied back to tie the game and forced the game into extra innings, holding off the Trojans by the score of 5-4 in eight innings.

Dakota State fell to 0-2 overall record on their season opener.  Briar Cliff lifted their overall record to 2-0.

The Trojans continue their action Saturday as they face host-team Dordt at 2 p.m. and Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) at 4 p.m.

Briar Cliff (Iowa) 5, Dakota State (S.D.) 4 – FINAL/8 innings

The Trojans grabbed the first lead of the game in the bottom half of the first inning.  Hannah McFarland led off with a walk and swiped to second base.  Mackenzie Sims followed up with a single and advanced McFarland to second base.  Sims followed up with a stolen base to second base. 

Michelle Evdos produced an RBI ground out to score McFarland for DSU 1-0 lead in the bottom first.

The Chargers tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the fourth inning.  Aubrey Chichurka led off with a single.  She advanced to second base after Rylee Cain's sacrifice bunt.  Skylar Bainter reached safely on base caused by DSU's defensive error and allowed pinch runner Jessica James score to knot the game.

DSU regained their lead in the bottom fifth inning with a run.  Hannah Feser led off with a single.  Alexus Foster drilled a double to advance Feser to third base.  Feser was tagged out at home at the same play, while Foster advanced to third base.

Ally Morrissey hit a two-out RBI single to score Foster as Dakota State took a 2-1 lead in the bottom fifth.

The Trojans extended their lead to 3-1 in the bottom sixth inning with a run scored.  Evdos was hit-by-pitch to lead off and swiped to second base.  Rosie Philop hit a ground out to advance pinch runner Olivia Peterson to third base.  Jordyn Jeffries hit an RBI sacrifice fly to score Peterson to give the Trojans a two-run lead.

Briar Cliff rallied back in the top seventh inning, thanks to a 2-run home run blast by Kylee Lukes with two outs.  The game was tied 3-3.

The Trojans were unable to get in a scoring opportunity in the bottom seventh inning as the game was extended into extra inning.

With the international tiebreaker rule with the last out from the previous inning placed on second base in the top eighth, Jalyn Yakey produced a sacrifice bunt to advance Kylie Wihelms to third base.  After Cain reached on base by DSU's error, Bainter hit an RBI double to score Wihelms as BCU earned a 4-3 lead (Cain advanced to third).

Hailey Yon followed up with an RBI sacrifice fly to score Cain to extend the Chargers' lead to 5-3 in the top eighth.

With McFarland placed on second base to start the bottom eighth frame, McFarland swiped to third base.  Morrissey followed up with an RBI single to score McFarland as the Trojans trailed 5-4.

Morrissey swiped to second base for the Trojans with one out.  Dakota State was unable to convert their scoring opportunity as their next two batters recorded an out each, securing the victory for Briar Cliff.

BCU outhit DSU 8-7 in the game.  The Trojans committed four defensive errors compared to the Chargers with no defensive miscues. 

Foster hit a double and single for Dakota State.  She had a run scored.  Morrissey added two hits and two RBIs.  Feser, Sims, and Philop each recorded a single.  Evdos and Jeffries each collected an RBI.

McFarland registered two walks and swiped two bases for DSU.  Morrissey, Sims and Evdos each recorded a stolen base.

Lukes was 2-for-4 at the plate with a home run, single and drove in two runs for the Chargers.  Cupples added two hits.  Bainter had a double and an RBI.  Karis Gifford, Chichurka, and Cain each recorded a hit.

Delaney Barrett (L, 0-1) tossed a complete game in the pitching circle, despite the setback for Dakota State.  She allowed five unearned runs on eight hits. 

Jolina Mancha (W, 1-0) earned the victory after working 6 2/3 innings for Briar Cliff.  She gave up three runs (one unearned) on seven hits.  Bella Valdez pitched 1 1/3 shutout innings in relief.