Tiger softball opens season at PC Dome Classic

ABERDEEN, S.D. – The Dakota Wesleyan University softball team opened its 32nd season on Friday and Saturday, competing in the Presentation College Dome Classic on the campus of Presentation College in Aberdeen, S.D.

Tiger softball opens season at PC Dome Classic

Team Stats

February 11, 2017

ABERDEEN, S.D. – The Dakota Wesleyan University softball team opened its 32nd season on Friday and Saturday, competing in the Presentation College Dome Classic on the campus of Presentation College in Aberdeen, S.D.

 In the opener, the Tigers faced the University of Jamestown out of the North Star Athletic Association. DWU did enough damage in the first inning, putting up two runs on the board and held the Jamestown offense in check for the rest of the game, giving up a run in the top of the fourth. DWU went on to defeat the future Great Plains Athletic Conference member, 2-1.

 Senior Lorissa Loeppky (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada) gave the Tigers a strong five innings on the mound, allowing a hit and a run, while walking a batter and striking out another. Sierra Haage (Sioux Falls, S.D.) closed the door for the Tigers, tossing two inning of one-hit ball, while striking out three. At the plate, Amber Budmark (Sacramento, Calif.) went 1-for-2, while senior Elise Sutherland (Stansbury, Utah) was 1-for-3 with an RBI and Katelyne Dougherty (Maui, Hawaii) was also 1-for-3.

  The final game on Friday was decided in extra innings as Presentation College defeated the Tigers 1-0. Haage pitched three and two-thirds innings, allowing four hits and an earned run. Freshman Andrea Knoz (Mitchell, S.D.) pitched three and two-thirds innings, giving up five hits. Alize Martinez (Palmdale, Calif.) went 2-for-4 at the plate.

 Saturday didn't go quite as planned for the Tigers. DWU started the day taking on NCAA DII-school Southwest Minnesota State University, dropping an 8-0 decision. Loeppky went four innings, allowing 11 hits, seven earned runs, while striking out seven. Budmark picked up the lone hit for the Tigers.

 DWU took on another NCAA DII-school the University of Minnesota-Crookston. Haage tossed eight innings, giving up eight hits, three earned runs, while striking out seven and walking two. The Tigers led until the top of the sixth innings, when Crookston tied the game at three, but went on to added in extra innings in the top of the eighth. Freshman Melysia Ortega (West Covina, Calif.) went 1-for-3 at the plate, with an RBI, while Karly Severance (Las Vegas, Nev.) was 1-for-2 with two RBI.

 In the finale, DWU took on in-state rival Dakota State University, and couldn't overcome a four-run first inning. Konz allowed eight hits and seven earned run in two and two-thirds innings pitched. Claudia Nixon (Shaunavon, Saskatchewan, Canada) was 2-for-3 at the plate, while Ortega went 1-for-2 with a run and an RBI.

 The Tigers (1-4) return to action at the PC Dome Classic taking on Dickinson State University, followed by Jamestown and DSU. First pitch is slated for 9 a.m. Sunday in Aberdeen.