March 1, 2024

WICHITA, Kan. – Dakota State (S.D.) faced another nationally ranked team from the Great Plains Athletic Conference softball Friday on the first day of the Friends (Kan.) Invitational at Two Rivers Youth Complex.  The Warriors used a fast start and defeated the Trojans by the score of 10-2 in five innings.

Dakota State, who played their third contest against NAIA's Top 25 ranked team, fell to 1-8 overall record.  Midland, ranked No. 10 in the NAIA Softball Coaches' Top 25 national poll, raised their overall record to 10-2.

DSU plays York (Neb.) in the second game of the tournament Friday afternoon at 3:30 p.m.

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

Midland kicked off the first frame with four straight runs with two outs.  After the first three batters reaching safely on base to set up a bases loaded situation, the Trojans' defense prevented the Warriors to score for the next two outs.

Matti Reiling drilled a bases clearing 3-RBI double to give MU a 3-0 lead.  Camile Vestal followed up with an RBI single to score Reiling to extend Midland's lead to 4-0 in the top first.

The Warriors produced another four-run production in the top fourth frame.  Reese Floro hit an RBI single to make it 5-0 in favor of MU.  Roni Foote followed up with a 2-RBI double, while Reiling added an RBI single to expand Warriors' lead to 8-0.

Dakota State snapped their scoring drought in the bottom half of the fourth inning.  Jordyn Jeffries reached on base with two outs, despite a dropped third strike with a wild pitch.  Michelle Evdos hit an RBI single to score Jeffries as the Trojans trailed 8-1.

Midland plated two runs in the top fifth to widen their lead to 10-1.   The Trojans answered with a run in the bottom fifth after wild pitch by the Warriors and could not extend the game into the sixth inning.  MU secured the victory with a run-rule after five innings.

The Warriors outhit the Trojans 10-4 in the game.  Midland left eight runners on base compared to Dakota State six runners left on base.

Evdos led the Trojans with a single and an RBI.  Hannah McFarland, Rosie Philop, and Ally Morrissey each added a hit.  McFarland, Hannah Feser, and Morrissey each recorded a walk.

Reiling powered the Warriors' offense with a double, single and drove in four runs.  Floro added two hits and an RBI.  Foote had a double and two RBIs.  Emily Prai and Vestal each had a hit and an RBI. 

Analicia Burgos (L, 0-1) recorded the defeat after starting the game for Dakota State.  Maycee Bricker, Jada Brown, and Mason Usselman each pitched in relief.

Alexis Page (W, 2-0) tossed a complete game victory for Midland.  She allowed two runs (one unearned) on four hits.  She recorded five strikeouts.