Six game win streak propels DWU softball in Tucson

TUCSON, Ariz. – The Dakota Wesleyan University softball team flexed its offensive firepower in the final four days at the Tucson Invitational in Tucson, Ariz.

Six game win streak propels DWU softball in Tucson

Team Stats

March 6, 2017

TUCSON, Ariz. – The Dakota Wesleyan University softball team flexed its offensive firepower in the final four days at the Tucson Invitational in Tucson, Ariz.

 After dropping three games on Monday the Tigers found a way at the plate to add some wins to the win column before embarking on a 28-hour trip back to Mitchell.

 DWU fell 10-0 to St. Francis University on Monday. Alize Martinez (Palmdale, Calif.), Andriana Sprakel (Yankton, S.D.), Claudia Nixon (Shaunavon, Saskatchewan, Canada) and Katelyne Dougherty (Maui, Hawaii) added a hit in the loss. The Tigers dropped a 4-2 decision to Madonna University later in the day. Karly Severance (Las Vegas, Nev.) and Andrea Konz (Mitchell, S.D.) went 2-for-3 at the plate, while Alyssa Garcia (L.A. Verne, Calif.) and Konz added a double. In the final game on Monday, DWU lost a 5-3 decision to Lawrence Tech University. Melysia Ortega (West Covina, Calif.) went 2-for-4, while Severance added a home run and two RBIs. Lorissa Loeppky (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada), Sierra Haage (Sioux Falls, S.D.) and Konz tallied two hits.

 Tuesday was a different story for DWU, as the Tigers began the day with a 6-5 victory over Bethel University. Severance had a 2-for-4 day with three RBIs, while Paige Kinley (Worthington, Minn.) was 3-for-3 with a run, an RBI and a double. Amber Budmark (Sacramento, Calif.) and Konz added two hits, with Budmark tallying a double. Konz picked up the win, tossing seven innings, allowing five runs on seven hits, while striking out four and walking two.

 In an 11-3 victory over Olivet Nazarene University, Kinley went 3-for-3 with a double, while Loeppky and Martinez added two hits. Martinez has been seeing the ball well, after recording another RBI and a walk in the victory. Loeppky tallied the win for DWU after throwing five innings, allowing three runs on six hits.

 The Tigers finished Tuesday with another win, this time over Newbury College 14-6. Claudia Nixon went 2-for-2 with two RBIs, two runs and two doubles. Budmark added two hits with two RBIs, while Kinley, Sutherland and Garcia recorded two hits. Garcia also had three RBIs and a double. Haage picked up the win in relief, going two and two-third innings, allowing a run on two hits, while striking out three.

 Wednesday was a mere repeat of Tuesday as the Tigers opened the day with a 5-4 victory over Madonna. Kinley went 3-for-3 with a run, double and an RBI. Ortega added a double with two hits, while Martinez also had two hits. Haage picked up the win in extra innings after tossing eight innings, allowing two runs on six hits.

 DWU went on to face Hiram College, adding a 15-2 victory to the win column. Garcia had the hot bat at the plate, going 3-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs. Severance and Sprakel added two hits, with Sprakel recording a double. Loeppky picked up the win, tossing four and one-third innings, allowing two runs on four hits.

 In the finale on Wednesday, the Tigers defeated the University of Jamestown 6-3. Loeppky tallied a triple, while going 2-for-3 with a run. Sprakel and Martinez added two hits, with both recording doubles. Loeppky also tallied the win, throwing four innings, while allowing two runs on seven hits.

 On Thursday, DWU dropped two games to Benedictine University at Mesa, 17-5 and 11-6. In Game One, Severance went 3-for-3 with two RBIs. Kinley and Sprakel added two hits in the loss.

 In Game Two, Kinley continued her dominance at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a run. Sutherland, Ortega and Sprakel added two hits for DWU.

 The Tigers (9-16) return to Mitchell and will take a week off before returning to the diamond, taking on NCAA Division II Southwest Minnesota State University for a doubleheader at 2 and 4 p.m. on March 18 in Marshall, Minn.