March 7, 2026

La VISTA, Neb. – Dakota State (S.D.) fell in both games of a softball doubleheader against Peru State (Neb.) Saturday at La Vista City Park, with the Bobcats winning 8-6 in the opener and 9-1 in the five-inning nightcap.

Peru State rallied late to take the first game before jumping out to an early lead in the second contest to secure the sweep.

DSU fell to 2-8 overall record, while PSC improved to 4-5 overall record.
Game 1: Peru State 8, Dakota State 6 – FINAL

Dakota State jumped out early and built a four-run advantage in the third inning, but Peru State answered with a late rally to capture the opener 8-6.

The Trojans struck first in the top of the first inning when Alexia Hayden doubled to left field to drive in Gabrielle Ortega-Alves, giving DSU a 1-0 lead. Peru State answered immediately in the bottom half with RBI hits from Gracey Meinert and Casidy Sipek to move ahead 2-1.

Dakota State delivered its biggest offensive inning in the third. Ortega-Alves singled and later scored after an error before Emmalynn Rabe stole home. Moments later, Quincy Hartley blasted a three-run home run to cap a five-run frame and give the Trojans a 6-2 advantage.

Peru State chipped away in the bottom of the third with three runs, highlighted by RBI hits from Meinert, Eva Schultz, and Sage Serdinsky, trimming the deficit to 6-5.

The Bobcats completed the comeback in the sixth inning. Jami Mans tied the game with an RBI single before Meinert followed with a go-ahead RBI hit. Peru State added an insurance run later in the inning to seal the 8-6 victory.

Game 1 Statistics

Dakota State

• Gabrielle Ortega-Alves: 2-for-4, 2 runs, double
• Quincy Hartley: 2-for-4, HR, 3 RBI, 2 runs
• Alexia Hayden: 1-for-4, double, RBI
• Ally Morrissey: 1-for-3, run
• Lara Dolezal: 1-for-3
• Katherine Kiser: 1-for-3

Pitching – Dakota State

• Maycee Bricker: 3.0 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 5 SO
• Grace Kitterman (L, 1-2): 3.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 4 SO

Peru State

• Gracey Meinert: 3-for-4, 2 runs, 3 RBI, two doubles
• Jami Mans: 2-for-4, 3 runs, RBI
• Eva Schultz: 3-for-4, RBI
• Casidy Sipek: 1-for-4, RBI
• Sage Serdinsky: 2-for-2, RBI

Pitching – Peru State

• Makenna Scribner: 2.1 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 4 ER
• Melanie Hughes (W, 1-1): 4.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 8 SO

Game 2: Peru State 9, Dakota State 1 – FINAL (5 innings)

Peru State scored nine runs in the first two innings and cruised to a 9-1 victory in the second game of the doubleheader.

The Bobcats exploded for five runs in the first inning. Kaylee Spreer launched a three-run home run and Casidy Sipek and Jami Mans each delivered RBI singles to put Peru State ahead 5-0 early.

Peru State added four more runs in the second inning on a grand slam from Gracey Meinert, pushing the lead to 9-0.

Dakota State scored its lone run in the third inning when Hannah McFarland delivered an RBI single to plate Lara Dolezal, cutting the deficit to 9-1. The Trojans could not generate further offense as Peru State pitcher Melanie Hughes closed out the five-inning victory.

Game 2 Statistics

Dakota State

• Gabrielle Ortega-Alves: 1-for-1
• Hannah McFarland: 1-for-2, RBI, SB
• Ally Morrissey: 1-for-2
• Katherine Kiser: 1-for-1

Pitching – Dakota State

• Mason Usselman (L, 1-2): 1.1 IP, 8 H, 9 R, 9 ER
• Makenna McGee: 2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 SO

Peru State

• Gracey Meinert: HR, 4 RBI, 2 runs
• Kaylee Spreer: HR, 3 RBI
• Jami Mans: 3-for-3, RBI, 2 runs
• Casidy Sipek: 1-for-2, RBI

Pitching – Peru State

• Melanie Hughes (W, 2-1): 5.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 7 SO

Up Next

Dakota State heads to Branson, Mo., to kick off the eight-game slate in the Stars & Stripes Spring Break Classic.  The Trojans kick off the tournament in a doubleheader with Missouri Valley Monday afternoon, starting at 2 p.m.