March 20, 2026

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Mayville State (N.D.) held off Dakota State (S.D.) in the inaugural Frontier Conference softball season opening weekend at Sanford Sports Complex Field No. 9.  The Comets earned a 5-3 game one victory over the Trojans, followed by a 14-4 five-inning win in the second game.

Dakota State is 6-14 overall record and 0-2 record in Frontier Conference.  Mayville State improved their overall record to 8-12 and 2-0 record in the league.

Game 1: Mayville State (N.D.) 5, Dakota State (S.D.) 3 – FINAL

Mayville State used a decisive fifth inning and timely extra-base hits to defeat Dakota State 5-3 in the opening game of the conference doubleheader.

The Comets struck first in the second inning, plating two runs on a sacrifice fly by Nevaeh Stinson and an RBI single from Mackenzie Fuxa for a 2-0 lead. They extended the advantage in the fifth inning, highlighted by Fuxa's solo home run and RBI hits from Antarez Sierra and Lindsey Tulla to build a 5-0 cushion.

Dakota State responded in the bottom of the fifth inning when Alexia Hayden delivered a clutch two-run double down the left-field line, scoring Hannah McFarland and Ally Morrissey. Hayden later added a solo home run in the seventh inning to cut the deficit to 5-3, but the Trojans were unable to complete the comeback.

Lacey Mathiowetz earned the complete-game victory for Mayville State, allowing three runs on nine hits while striking out three.

Grace Kitterman took the loss for Dakota State, surrendering five runs over 4 1/3 innings.

Individual Stats

• Dakota State
  • Alexia Hayden: 2-for-4, home run, double, 3 RBIs
  • Emmalynn Rabe: 3-for-4
  • Ally Morrissey: 2-for-3, 1 run
• Mayville State
  • Mackenzie Fuxa: 2-for-3, home run, 2 RBIs
  • Haylie Padgett: 2-for-2, double, run
  • Lisa-Marie Cante: 2-for-4

Team Stats

• Hits: DSU 9, MSU 10
• Errors: DSU 0, MSU 2
• Left on Base: DSU 9, MSU 7

Pitching

• DSU:
  • Grace Kitterman (L, 3-4): 4.1 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER
  • Makenna McGee: 2.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R
• MSU:
  • Lacey Mathiowetz (W, 6-5): 7.0 IP (complete game), 9 H, 3 ER

Game 2:  Mayville State (N.D.) 14, Dakota State (S.D.) 4 – FINAL/5 innings

Mayville State erupted for 11 runs over the first two innings and cruised to a 14-4 run-rule victory to complete the doubleheader sweep.

The Comets exploded for six runs in the first inning, fueled by RBI hits from Tulla, Lisa-Marie Cante, Mackenzie Fuxa, and a sacrifice fly from Ryanne Bass. They followed with five more runs in the second inning, highlighted by a two-run single from Fuxa and RBI hits from Tulla, Cante, and Haylie Padgett to take an 11-0 lead.

Dakota State answered with a run in the second inning on an RBI groundout by Gabrielle Ortega-Alves. The Trojans added two runs in the third inning on a two-run single from Morrissey and another run in the fourth on an RBI double by Julia Maldonado.

However, Mayville State continued to add on, including two more RBIs from Fuxa in the third inning and a final run in the fifth to enforce the run rule.

Baileigh Momberg earned the win for Mayville State, tossing five innings while allowing four runs.

Individual Stats

• Dakota State
  • Ally Morrissey: 2-for-3, 2 RBIs
  • Julia Maldonado: 2-for-3, double, RBI
  • Quincy Hartley: 1-for-2, run, walk
• Mayville State
  • Mackenzie Fuxa: 3-for-4, 2 doubles, 5 RBIs
  • Lindsey Tulla: 4-for-4, 3 RBIs, 3 runs
  • Lisa-Marie Cante: 2-for-4, 3 RBIs
  • Ella Janzen: 2-for-4, 2 runs

Team Stats

• Hits: DSU 9, MSU 15
• Errors: Both teams 1
• Runs: MSU scored 11 runs in first two innings

Pitching

• DSU:
  • Maycee Bricker (L, 2-5): 1.0 IP, 4 R
  • Makenna McGee: 1.0 IP, 5 R
  • Mason Usselman: 3.0 IP, 5 R
• MSU:
  • Baileigh Momberg (W, 2-4): 5.0 IP, 4 ER

Up Next
Dakota State and Mayville State conclude their first Frontier Conference's four-game series with another doubleheader Saturday afternoon at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.  They will play on the same field at Sanford Sports Complex Field No. 9 in Sioux Falls.