February 20, 2026

SIOUX CENTER, Iowa – Dakota State (S.D.) mounted a late push but could not overcome an early deficit, falling to NAIA's No. 17 ranked Northwestern (Iowa) 8–5 in non-conference softball action Friday evening.  The Trojans played in the second American State Bank Sports Complex dome tournament, hosted by Dordt (Iowa).

Dakota State is 2-4 overall record.  Northwestern, a member of the Great Plains Athletic Conference, raised their overall record to 8-2.
  Game Highlights

After a scoreless opening inning, Northwestern broke through in the second when Paige Kingery delivered an RBI single for a 1-0 lead. The Red Raiders then capitalized on miscues and aggressive base running in the third inning, scoring four times to extend the advantage to 5-0. Two stolen bases resulted in runs, and Dakota State was charged with an error that helped fuel the rally.

Dakota State answered in the bottom of the fourth inning with three runs scored.

• Hannah McFarland ripped an RBI double to right center to put the Trojans on the board.
• Ally Morrissey followed with an RBI single.
• Lara Dolezal added a sacrifice RBI to trim the deficit to 5-3.

Northwestern responded immediately in the fifth when Allison Koontz launched a three-run homer to left-center, pushing the lead to 8-3.

Dakota State continued to battle back. The Trojans plated one run in the fifth on a Northwestern error and added another in the sixth when McFarland drew an RBI walk with the bases loaded, closing the gap to 8-5.

Dakota State brought the tying run to the plate multiple times late but could not complete the comeback.
  Individual Highlights

Dakota State

• Gabrielle Ortega-Alves: 3-for-4, double, 1 run scored
• Hannah McFarland: 1-for-2, double, 3 RBIs, 2 walks, 2 stolen bases
• Ally Morrissey: 1-for-4, RBI
• Katherine Kiser: 1-for-3
• Team totals: 8 hits, 5 runs, 4 walks

Northwestern (Iowa)

• Allison Koontz: 3-for-4, HR, double, 4 RBIs
• Ava Gross: 2-for-4, double, 2 runs
• Faith Kacmaryns: double, 3 runs scored
• Red Raiders offense: 10 hits, 8 runs

Pitching Summary

Dakota State

• Maycee Bricker (L, 1-1): 2.2 IP, 5 H, 5 R (2 ER), 3 K
• Mason Usselman: 4.1 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 1 HR allowed

Northwestern (Iowa)

• Audrie Kohl (W, 1-1): 3.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R
• Mariah Renken: 0.1 IP, 3 R allowed
• Allison Koontz: 1.0 IP, 2 R
• Tatum Schmalbeck: 2.0 IP, 0 R to close

Up Next

Dakota State closes their second American State Bank Sports Complex dome tournament with another pair of Great Plains Athletic Conference foes.  The Trojans face (RV) Morningside (Iowa) at 2 p.m. and Briar Cliff (Iowa) at 4 p.m.