Trojans Softball Opens NSAA Play Splitting Four-Game Series

On the second day of their four-game NSAA opening series against Waldorf, the Dakota State softball team split the doubleheader, falling 8-6 in the first game before closing out the series with a 13-9 win.

The Trojans scored two-runs in each of the first two innings in the first game of the doubleheader, leading 4-1 after two innings. Trailing three, the Warriors knotted the game in the bottom of the third-inning after leading off the inning with four straight hits.

DSU answered back in the top of the fourth with two runs to regain the lead. However, Waldorf had another three-run inning in the bottom of the fourth to gain the lead for good after adding another unanswered run in the fifth, earning the 8-6 win over DSU.

Both teams tallied 10 hits in the game. WU left nine runners on base compared to DSU seven runners left on base.

Rosie Philop collected two doubles for the Trojans. Maycee Bricker added two singles and two RBIs. Sophia Cordova had a double and an RBI. Hannah McFarland registered a triple, single, and walk.  

Paige Pierson went 4-of-4 at the plate with a double, three singles, and scored three runs for the Warriors. 

Bricker (L, 1-6) took the setback in the pitching circle for Dakota State. She allowed seven runs on nine hits. Philop tossed three innings in relief, yielding one unearned run on one hit.

Pierson started the game for Waldorf, working for three innings.  She gave up six runs (two unearned) on seven hits.  Dalke (W, 2-1) earned the win after pitching four scoreless innings in relief. Limiting the Trojans to three hits.

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DSU started the second game of the doubleheader hot, scoring six runs to open up the game in the first-inning. In the first inning, Michelle Evdos hit a solo home run before Mackenize Sims extended the Trojans early lead with a 2-RBI Double.

The Trojans added another run to extend their lead to 7-0 in the top of the second inning, before the Warriors had a six-run inning themselves. All six of the Warriors runs came with two outs, capped off by back-to-back home runs.

In the top of the third, DSU registered three more runs to extend their lead to 10-6 and one more in the fourth to go up 11-6. 

The closest the Warriors would get within the Trojans the rest of the way when the Warriors hit a 2-run homer to cut the Trojans lead to 12-9. 

DSU scored one more run in the seventh and with Waldorf unable to answer, the Trojans got the 13-9 win to split both the doubleheader, and the four game series. 

The Warriors had 15 hits in the game compared to the Trojans 14 hits. WU committed seven defensive errors, while the Trojans had two errors.

Alexus Foster collected a triple, double, and drove in three runs for Dakota State. Sims added a double, two singles, and tallied four RBIs. Philop had two hits. Evdos hit a home run and recorded an RBI.  Entringer, Evdos, and Sims each swiped one base for the Trojans.

Hickey hit two home runs and drove in four runs for Waldorf. Alex Mathers added a home run, single and an RBI. Kaela Eslinger had a home run and an RBI. Pierson was perfect at the plate, going 4-of-4 with an RBI, walk, and scored two tims.  

Bricker started the game in the pitching circle for Dakota State. Grace Ortmeier (W, 1-5) earned the victory after tossing 4 1/3 innings in relief, allowing four runs on seven hits and recorded seven strikeouts. Bricker reentered the pitching circle in the bottom seventh to earn her first save of the season. She finished with 2 2/3 innings and gave up five runs (three unearned) on eight hits. She registered four strikeouts.

McKenna Mentink (L, 3-4) took the loss after allowing ten runs on seven hits in 2 2/3 innings of work for Waldorf.  Alex Mathers tossed 4 1/3 innings in relief, giving up three runs (one unearned) on seven hits.

After the weekend series, Dakota State has a 3-15 overall record, while Waldorf is 6-12 overall record. Both teams have a 2-2 NSAA record.

The Trojans were originally scheduled to play another NSAA’s four-game series at Mayville State this weekend, but unfavorable playing field conditions in Mayville, ND, the four-game series will be relocated to Presentation Dome in Aberdeen, SD. The four-game series will start next Sunday at 12pm with a doubleheader, followed by another doubleheader next Monday at 10am.