April 24, 2024

MITCHELL, S.D. – Dakota State (S.D.) was unable to extend their winning streak Wednesday afternoon at Caldwell Park, falling short 8-7 in the first game of the mid-week non-conference doubleheader with rival Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.).  The Tigers shut down the Trojans 8-0 in six innings to complete the sweep.

Dakota State dropped their overall record to 10-27.  Dakota Wesleyan improved to 18-25 overall record.

The Trojans wrap up their North Star Athletic Association softball regular season Saturday and Sunday, visiting the league leader Bellevue (Neb.) at Rob Brown Stadium.  The doubleheaders start on Saturday at 2 p.m. and on Sunday at 12 p.m. 

Game 1 – Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) 8, Dakota State (S.D.) 7 – FINAL

Dakota Wesleyan poured in seven runs to erase their 6-1 deficit and held off Dakota State for a one-run victory in the first game of the doubleheader. 

The Trojans grabbed the first lead of the game in the opening inning.  Hannah McFarland reached safely on first base after a defensive error by the Tigers.  She advanced to second base after Mackenzie Sims' sacrifice bunt.  Rosie Philop hit a two-out RBI single to score McFarland for DSU 1-0 lead.

Dakota State plated three runs in the top third frame, thanks to back-to-back doubles by McFarland and Sims.  Sims collected an RBI to score McFarland as the Trojans extended their lead to 2-0.

Michelle Evdos and Philop followed up with back-to-back walks for DSU in the top third.  Jordyn Jeffries hit an RBI single to score Sims as the Trojans ballooned their lead to 3-0 (Evdos advanced to third base).

DSU made it 4-0 in the top third as Alexus Foster hit an RBI sacrifice fly to score Evdos.

Evdos produced an RBI single to score Ally Morrissey, who led off the top fourth inning with a single and advanced to second after McFarland's sacrifice bunt.  Dakota State led 5-0 after the top fourth inning.

Dakota Wesleyan snapped their scoring drought with a run in the bottom fourth.  Reagan Grossi led off with a single.  Jordyn Blogg drilled an RBI double to score Grossi as the Tigers trailed 5-1.

McFarland was hit-by-pitch to start the top sixth inning for DSU.  She swiped to second base.  Philop produced an RBI single to score McFarland as the Trojans extended their lead to 6-1.

Dakota Wesleyan scored seven straight runs with two outs in the bottom sixth inning, highlighted by Peyton Bagley's 2-RBI triple, Alyssa Burke's RBI double, Grossi's RBI double and capped with an RBI double from Jaden Warner for DWU's 8-6 lead.

DSU mounted a comeback in the top seventh inning.  Foster was hit-by-pitch with one out and swiped to second base.  Quincy Hartley, pinch hitter for Morrissey, hit an RBI single with two outs to score Foster as the Trojans trailed 8-7. 

Dakota State left a runner on base when the game ended, securing victory for Dakota Wesleyan. 

DWU outhit DSU 13-11 in the game. The Trojans left nine runners on base compared to the Tigers seven runners left on base.

Philop went 2-of-3 at the plate with two singles, two RBIs, and an RBI for Dakota State.  Sims added a double and an RBI.  Evdos, Jeffries, Foster, and Hartley each had a single and an RBI.  Delaney Barrett, Hannah Fester, and Morrissey each had a hit.  McFarland, Foster, and Olivia Peterson each swiped one base.

Grossi paced the Tigers with three hits and an RBI.  Blogg had two doubles and an RBI.  Bagley recorded a triple, two singles, and two RBIs.  Burke and Feser each added a hit and an RBI.

Barrett (L, 7-10) took the setback in the pitching circle for Dakota State.  She allowed seven runs (three unearned) on 11 hits.  Mason Usselman worked the final out in the bottom sixth.

Keirstyn Krcil (W, 9-11) earned a complete game victory for Dakota Wesleyan.  She gave up seven runs (one unearned) on 11 hits.

Game 2 – Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) 8, Dakota State (S.D.) 0 – FINAL/6 innings

Dakota State was unable to overcome Dakota Wesleyan's six-run explosion in the bottom sixth inning in the nightcap.

The game was scoreless through the first two-and-half innings.  DWU took a 1-0 lead in the bottom third inning as Sophia Wietzema drilled an RBI double to score Baylee Brown, who led off with a single.

Dakota State was unable to convert their scoring chances in the top fourth inning as they left bases full.  Evdos had a single, while Jeffries and Hartley recorded back-to-back walks.

E. Feser hit an RBI double to score Warner, who reached first base after DSU's defensive error, to balloon DWU's lead to 2-0 in the bottom fourth.

Dakota Wesleyan poured in six runs in the bottom sixth inning, with four straight scoring plays with an RBI single from Baylee Brown, Sophie Wietzema, Bagley (2 RBIs), and Burke.  The game ended with an RBI sacrifice fly to score Bagley.

DWU recorded 11 hits in the game compared to DSU four hits.  Both teams left five runners on base.

Sims, Evdos, Philop, and Jada Brown each registered a single for Dakota State.  Evdos, Jeffries, and Hartley each had a walk.  McFarland swiped one base.

Wietzema led the Tigers with a double, single, and two RBIs.  Brown added two singles and an RBI.  Bagley had a hit and two RBIs.  Bruke, Mull, and E. Feser each registered a hit and an RBI.

Brown (L, 1-4) took the defeat after working for five innings for Dakota State.  She allowed three runs (one unearned) on six hits.  Barrett and Analicia Burgos each worked in relief.

Grace Ortmeier (W, 2-3) pitched a complete game victory for Dakota Wesleyan.  She yielded the Trojans to four hits.