April 21, 2024

MADISON, S.D. – Dakota State (S.D.) wrapped up their home softball scheduled Sunday afternoon, fueling to the North Star Athletic Association doubleheader sweep over Waldorf (Iowa) in their final ever four-game conference series at Thue Field.  The Trojans shut down the Warriors 6-0 in the first game and closed the series with a 5-2 victory in the second game.

Dakota State improved their overall record to 10-25 and 7-13 record in the North Star Athletic Association.  Waldorf fell to 5-27 overall record and 4-15 NSAA conference record.  The Trojans won the four-game series with a 3-1 record, their first series victory over WU since 2021.

DSU finished their home schedule with a 5-3 record, their first home field winning record since 2022 (10-7 record).  Dakota State honored their four seniors after the conclusion of the game – Alexus Foster, Olivia Peterson, Rosie Philop, and Mackenzie Sims.

The Trojans play their final non-conference doubleheader of the season Wednesday afternoon, visiting Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.).  The contests will be held at Caldwell Park in Mitchell, S.D., with the first game starting at 3 p.m.

Game 1 – Dakota State (S.D.) 6, Waldorf (Iowa) 0 – FINAL

Dakota State used a fast start in the first game of the doubleheader with two runs and never trailed for the rest of the game.  Sims hit a single followed by Michelle Evdos' hit-by-pitch and a single from Philop to set up a bases loaded situation with one out.

Jordyn Jeffries reached safely on base with a fielder's choice for an RBI, allowing Sims to score for DSU's 1-0 lead in the bottom first.  Evdos advanced home on the same play caused by WU's defensive error to extend the Trojans' lead to 2-0.

Jeffries drilled a triple to left field with two outs in the bottom third inning for DSU and was unable to convert the scoring chance to extend their lead.

Dakota State poured in four runs in the bottom fourth frame, sparked by a lead-off double by Delaney Barrett.  After Alex Morrissey reached first base safely by a fielder's choice, Hannah McFarland hit a single to set up a bases loaded situation.

After two outs were recorded in the bottom fourth, Philop hit a 3-RBI bases clearing RBI double to score Barrett, Morrissey, and McFarland to balloon DSU's lead to 5-0.

Jeffries followed up with an RBI single to score Philop to make it 6-0 in favor of the Trojans in the bottom fourth.

Waldorf was unable to pass second base throughout the game, securing the victory for Dakota State as WU left a runner when the game ended.

DSU outhit WU 7-5 in the game.  The Trojans left six runners on base compared to the Warriors three runners left on base.

Philop fueled Dakota State's offense attack with a double, single, and drove in a game-high three runs.  Jeffries added a triple, single and two RBIs.  McFarland, Sims, and Barrett each had a hit and a run scored.  Quincy Hartley had two walks. 

Gabby Bierly had three singles for Waldorf.  Kaela Eslinger and Haley Ehlert each added a single.

Barrett (W, 7-9) tossed a complete game victory for the Trojans.  She yielded the Warriors to five singles and registered five strikeouts.

Mckenna Mentink (L, 0-12) took the setback, despite pitching a complete game.  She allowed six runs (one unearned) on seven hits and recorded eight strikeouts.

Game 2 – Dakota State (S.D.) 5, Waldorf (Iowa) 2 – FINAL

Waldorf kicked off the four-game series finale with a run scored in the top first after the first two outs were recorded.  Eslinger hit a single.  Haley Ehlert reached safely on first base after a defensive error by the Trojans, advancing Eslinger to second base.  Kyliegh Morris followed up with a single to set up a bases loaded situation.

Madison Clark hit an RBI single to score Eslinger to give the Warriors a 1-0 lead.  The Trojans' defense ended the top first inning as McFarland connected to Sims and Evdos, tagging out Ehlert at home.

Dakota State answered with three runs in the bottom half of the first inning.  McFarland led off with a single and swiped to second base.  Sims hit an RBI single down the right field line, scoring McFarland to knot the game at 1-1.

DSU made it 2-1 as Evdos followed up with an RBI double to score Sims in the bottom first.  Philop hit a single to advance Evdos to third base (Philop advanced to second base on the same play after the throw). 

Hartley hit an RBI sacrifice fly to score Evdos to balloon the Trojans' lead to 3-1 in the bottom first.

Both teams did not score between second and fourth innings.

Morrissey blasted a lead-off triple in the bottom fifth frame for the Trojans.  Peterson hit an RBI sacrifice fly to score Morrissey as DSU's lead grew to 4-1.

Evdos hit her second RBI double of the game in the bottom fifth for 5-1 Dakota State lead, scoring Sims who hit a single.  Evdos hit her 50^th career double at DSU, one double shy of tying the career record of 51 doubles by Nicole Stewart from 2017-20.

The Warriors produced two straight extra-bases hits in the top sixth inning for a run scored.  Brooke Hickey hit a double and scored home after Eslinger's RBI triple, trailing 5-2 for the Warriors.

Dakota State secured the victory after shutting down Waldorf in the final inning.

DSU recorded 10 hits in the game compared to WU six hits. 

Sims powered the Trojans offense attack by going 3-of-3 at the plate with three singles, two runs scored and an RBI.  Philop tallied two singles.  Evdos collected two doubles and two RBIs.  Morrissey had a triple, single, and a run scored.  Peterson and Hartley each collected an RBI.  McFarland registered a single and a run scored.  McFarland and Sims each swiped one base.

Eslinger led the Warriors with a triple, single and an RBI.  Hickey had a double and a run scored.  Clark tallied a single and an RBI.  Morris had a hit. 

Maycee Bricker (W, 2-10) earned a complete game victory for Dakota State.  She limited the Warriors to two runs (one unearned) on six hits.  She registered two strikeouts.

Maddie Dalke (L, 4-11) took the complete game defeat for Waldorf.  She allowed five runs on 10 hits and recorded four strikeouts.