February 15, 2025

SIOUX CENTER, Iowa – Dakota State (S.D.) took on NAIA's No. 11 nationally ranked Northwestern (Iowa) and Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) on the same day for the second time in two weeks Saturday afternoon at American State Bank Sports Complex Softball Classic, hosted by Dordt (Iowa).  The Red Raiders defeated the Trojans 11-1 in five innings in the first game.  DSU wrapped up the second tournament with an 8-0 setback to rival Tigers in the second game.

Dakota State fell to 1-7 overall record.  Northwestern remained undefeated at 12-0 overall record, while Dakota Wesleyan improved to 6-3 overall record.

The Trojans return to Sioux Center for their third American State Bank Sports Complex Tournament.  DSU faces Mount Marty (S.D.) at 2 p.m. and College of Saint Mary (Neb.) at 6 p.m. Friday.  Dakota State then takes on CSM for the second meeting next Saturday at 2 p.m. and closes out the tournament versus Briar Cliff (Iowa) at 4 p.m.

(11) Northwestern (Iowa) 11, Dakota State (S.D.) 1 – FINAL/5 innings

The Red Raiders exploded for six runs in the top first inning, capped by a 2-RBI double by Berkley Johannsen for a 6-0 lead.

Northwestern plated two runs in the top second frame to extend their lead to 8-0.  Michelle Evdos registered a lead-off single in the bottom second inning and could not score for the Trojans.

NWIA extended their lead to 9-0 in the top third as Cassidy Gors drilled an RBI double to score Maddie Kvatek who led off with hit-by-pitch.  The Red Raiders added two runs in the top fourth to make it 11-0.

Dakota State snapped their scoring drought with a run scored in the bottom half of the fourth inning.  Gabrielle Ortega-Alves led off with a single and advanced to second base after Evdos' ground out.  Jordan Jeffries drilled an RBI double to score Ortega-Alves as the Trojans trailed 11-1 in the fourth.

Hannah McFarland and Jeffries each had a double for DSU.  Jeffries had an RBI.  Ortega-Alves and Evdos each added a hit.

Sydney Jacobs and Jori Hajek each tallied three hits for NWIA.  Carhli Bomgaars had two hits and two RBIs.  Hajek and Johannsen each recorded two RBIs.

Analicia Burgos (L, 0-3) took the setback after starting the game for Dakota State.  Makenna McGee and Maycee Bricker also pitched in relief.

Abby Flanagan (W, 3-0) earned a complete game victory in the pitching circle for Northwestern.

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

The Trojans were unable to take the first lead in the top first inning, despite leaving the bases full after Jeffries' walk, Ortega-Alves' single, and Katie Hansen's walk.

Jaden Warner led off the bottom second with a double and advanced to third base after DSU's passed ball for DWU.  Hailey Keefer produced an RBI sacrifice fly to score Warner to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead in the bottom second.

Dakota Wesleyan scored twice in the bottom half of the third inning, extending their lead to 3-0.

Warner highlighted DWU's 3-run production in the bottom fourth with an RBI double for a 6-0 lead.

Ortega-Alves and Jeffries each hit back-to-back singles with two outs in the top fifth inning and could not convert their scoring opportunities for DSU.

McKinnely Mull hit a lead-off home run in the bottom sixth inning to make it 7-0 in favor of Dakota Wesleyan.  Jaycee Tebay added an RBI double to end the game at 8-0 with one out in the bottom sixth.

Ortega-Alves was perfect 3-of-3 at the plate with three singles for Dakota State.  Jeffries and Quincy Hartley each added a single.  Jeffries and Hansen each registered a walk.

Mull and Warner each recorded three hits and drove in two runs for Dakota Wesleyan.  Peyton Bagley, Alison Ernsberger, and Alessandra Ciurca each added two hits. 

Mason Usselman (L, 0-2) recorded the defeat in the pitching circle, tossing three innings for DSU.  She allowed three runs on four hits.  Bricker worked for two innings in relief, while Burgos pitched in the sixth inning.

Ernsberger (W, 1-0) earned a complete game victory for DWU.  She yielded the Trojans to five hits and recorded six strikeouts.