March 1, 2024

WICHITA, Kan. – Dakota State (S.D.) was unable to overcome the fast start by York (Neb.) Friday afternoon in the second game of the Friends (Kan.) Softball Invitational at Two Rivers Youth Complex.  The Panthers opened with a 5-0 lead and never trailed in the game to defeat the Trojans 10-2 in five innings.

DSU fell to 1-9 overall record.  York, a member of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference, improved to 2-10 overall record.

The Trojans look to snap their losing skid Saturday as they prepare for a busy schedule with three games.  Dakota State faces Hannibal-LaGrange (Mo.) at 10 a.m., host-team (RV) Friends (Kan.) at 12:20 p.m. and close the tournament against Saint Mary (Kan.) at 2:30 p.m.

York (Neb.) 10, Dakota State (S.D.) 2 – FINAL/5 innings

Nevaeh Reed opened with a 2-RBI single in the top first inning to give York a 2-0 lead.  The Panthers added a run after a defensive error by the Trojans, extending YC's lead to 3-0.

The Panthers ballooned their lead to 5-0 in the top second after Kennedie Anderson's 2-run home run.

DSU scored the first run of the game in the bottom half of the second frame.  Michelle Evdos led off with a walk and swiped to second base.  Delaney Barrett hit a ground out to advance to Evdos to third base.

Hannah Feser produced an RBI sacrifice fly to score Evdos as the Trojans trailed 5-1 in the bottom second.

York produced another three-run production in the top third, capped by Anderson's RBI sacrifice fly to make it 8-1.

Dakota State added a run in the bottom third.  Mackenzie Sims reached safely on base after a defensive error by the Panthers.  She swiped to second base.  Jordyn Jeffries drilled an RBI double to score Sims as DSU trimmed YC's lead to 8-2.

After a scoreless fourth inning, York extended their lead to 10-2 after Paige Chapman's 2-RBI double.

Dakota State was unable to extend the game in the bottom fifth, leading the bases full when the game ended.

The Panthers outhit the Trojans 10-4 in the game.  DSU committed four defensive errors compared to York two defensive miscues. 

Hannah McFarland led Dakota State with two singles.  Jeffries added a double and an RBI.  Feser earned an RBI.  Alexus Foster had a single and a walk.  Gabriella Ortega-Alves and Sims each added a walk.  Evdos registered two walks, a stolen base, and a run scored.

Anderson smashed a home run and drove in three runs for York.  Chapman and Reed each added two hits and two RBIs.  Katie Taylor had two hits and an RBI.

Barrett (L, 1-3) took the setback in the pitching circle after tossing two innings for DSU.  Jada Brown worked 2 1/3 innings in relief.  Mason Usselman pitched the final two outs of the top fifth inning.

Bailey Hardey (W, 2-4) pitched a complete game victory for YC.  She allowed two runs (one unearned) on four hits.  She issued five walks.