February 14, 2026

SIOUX CENTER, Iowa – Dakota State (S.D.) fell to the NAIA's nationally ranked Northwestern (Iowa) Red Raiders of the Great Plains Athletic Conference, 15-0, in five innings Saturday evening at the American State Bank Sports Complex Dome.  The Trojans earned another split for the day (defeated Waldorf, Iowa, 5-4 earlier Saturday).

Dakota State is 2-2 record after the first preseason tournament.  Northwestern, ranked No. 17 in the NAIA Softball Coaches' Preseason Top 25 national poll, is 5-2 overall record.

How it happened

Northwestern scored in each of the first four innings, highlighted by a pair of six-run third- and fourth innings.

The Red Raiders plated two runs in the first inning on a sacrifice bunt RBI by Ava Gross and an RBI triple to right center by Allison Koontz. NWIA added one run in the second before breaking the game open with six runs in the third inning and six more in the fourth.

Koontz led Northwestern offensively, finishing 2-for-2 with a triple, two RBIs and two runs scored while also earning the win in the circle. R. Bomgaars went 3-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI, while P. Kingery drove in three runs. The Red Raiders totaled 14 hits and drew seven walks.

Dakota State managed just two hits in the contest. Alexis Resseguie recorded a double to left center in the third inning, and Katie Hansen added a single in the fifth.

Northwestern pitcher Koontz (W, 5-1) tossed a complete-game shutout, allowing two hits with no walks and two strikeouts.

Mason Usselman (L, 0-1) took the loss for Dakota State, allowing seven runs (six earned) on eight hits over 2 1/3 innings. Makenna McGee and Maycee Bricker combined to finish the final 1 2/3 innings.
  Dakota State Offensive Leaders

• Alexis Resseguie: 1-for-1, 2B
• Katie Hansen: 1-for-2

Northwestern Offensive Leaders

• Rylee Bomgaars: 3-for-3, 2 R, RBI, 2 SB
• Ava Koontz: 2-for-2, 2 R, 2 RBI, 3B
• Paige Kingery: 1-for-3, 3 RBI
• Berkley Johannsen: 2-for-2, 2 R, 2B

Pitching Summary

Dakota State

• Mason Usselman (L, 0-1): 2.1 IP, 8 H, 7 R (6 ER), 2 BB, 1 SO
• Makenna McGee: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 4 R (2 ER), 3 BB
• Maycee Bricker: 1.0 IP, 4 H, 4 R (3 ER), 2 BB

Northwestern

• Ava Koontz (W, 5-1): 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO

Up Next

Dakota State returns to American State Bank Sports Complex dome for the second time next weekend.  The Trojans continue their four-game slate against Great Plains Athletic Conference foes, facing Doane (Neb.) and No. 17 ranked Northwestern (Iowa) on Friday.  The Trojans are set to play at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. on West Field.

DSU then faces (RV) Morningside (Iowa) and Briar Cliff at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., respectively, next Saturday.