February 17, 2024

SIOUX CENTER, Iowa – Dakota State (S.D.) fell short in another extra-inning affair for the second time in the American State Bank Sports Complex dome tournament Saturday afternoon.  The Trojans dropped an 8-7 eight-innings contest to host-team Dordt (Iowa), despite grabbing a 4-1 lead after three-and-half innings.

Dakota State dropped their overall record to 0-3.  Dordt, a member of the Great Plains Athletic Conference, improved to 4-7 overall record.  Both teams will face each other again in next weekend's dome tournament.

The Trojans close out the first dome tournament versus long time rival Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) at 4 p.m.

Dordt (Iowa) 8, Dakota State (S.D.) 7 – FINAL/8 innings

Dakota State was unable to grab the first lead of the game despite a single from Mackenzie Sims followed by a double by Rosie Philop with two outs.

Dordt scored a run in the bottom half of the first inning.  Brooke Rule opened with a walk and advanced to second base after DSU's wild pitch.  She advanced to third base after Karli Olsen's sacrifice bunt.  Aurora Tyson recorded an RBI ground out to score Rule for 1-0 DU lead.

The Trojans answered with a run in the top second frame to tie the game.  With runners on third and second base, Hannah McFarland produced an RBI single to score Hannah Feser as DSU tied the game at 1-1.

Dakota State erupted for four runs in the top fourth inning.  The Trojans set up a bases loaded situation after Alexus Foster's single to advance Jadynn Alvarado to second base and Feser to third base.  McFarland produced an RBI walk to score Heser as DSU earned a 2-1 lead.

Ally Morrissey reached safely on base on the next at-bat for DSU caused by DU's defensive error, allowing Alvardo and Foster to score and extending their lead to 4-1 in the top fourth. 

Philop produced an RBI single to score Morrissey to balloon Dakota State's lead to 5-1 in the top fourth frame.

Ashtyn Grissom led off the bottom half of the fourth with a double and advanced to third after Lauren Steenstra's single for Dordt.  Peyton Whipple produced an RBI single with two outs to score Steenstra as the Defenders trailed 5-2.

Steenstra and Kacie Karsak each produced 2-RBI singles in the bottom fifth inning as Dordt regained their lead at 6-5.

Dakota State rallied back in the top seventh inning.  Jeffries drilled a double with one out.  Delaney Barrett hit an RBI single with two outs to score Jeffries as the Trojans knotted the game at 6-6.

The Trojans shut down the Defenders in the bottom seventh inning, extending the game into extra inning.

Dakota State was unable to score in the top eighth inning after leaving two runners on base.

Rule blasted a triple in the bottom eighth with one out for Dordt.  Olsen hit a walk-off RBI single to score Rule, securing the victory for the Defenders.

Both teams recorded 11 hits in the game.  The Trojans left 11 runners on base compared to the Defenders eight runners left on base.

Philop finished the game by going 3-of5 at the plate with a double, two singles, and an RBI for Dakota State.  McFarland added a single, two RBIs, and a walk.  Jeffries tallied a double and two singles.  She recorded a stolen base.  Barrett had a hit and an RBI.  Foster, Jada Brown, and Sims each recorded a hit.

Steenstra led the Defenders with two hits and two RBIs.  Rule added a triple and an RBI.  Olsen had two hits and an RBI.  Tyson and Whipple each had a hit and an RBI.  Karsak registered a single and two RBIs.

Brown (L, 0-1) took the defeat in the pitching circle for Dakota State.  She worked for 4 1/3 innings and allowed three runs (one unearned) on three hits.  Barrett, Mason Usselman, and Analicia Burgos also worked in relief.

Alexa Kopaska tossed 3 1/3 innings for Dordt.  She gave up five runs (two unearned) on six hits.  Jadyn Faber worked for 1 2/3 scoreless innings in relief.  Chloe Kreuz (W, 3-2) earned the victory after pitching three innings.  She allowed two runs (one unearned) on three hits.