DWU opens season at PC Dome Classic

MITCHELL, S.D. – The Dakota Wesleyan University softball team opened its 2018 season at the Presentation College Dome Classic on Friday and Saturday in Aberdeen, S.D.

 The Tigers opened the weekend against NCAA Division II-school Northern State University, falling 3-1. Junior Sierra Haage (Sioux Falls, S.D.) took the mound as she pitched six innings and tallied six strikeouts, allowing three earned runs. Offense came at a premium for both teams, as Haage finished 1-for-2 and Amber Budmark (Sacramento, Calif.) ended the game 1-for-3.

 In the second game of the day, DWU took on Valley City State University out of the North Star Athletic Association, as the Tigers lost 5-1. Alexis Konda (Sioux Falls, S.D.) led the way as she went 2-for-3. Katelyne Dougherty (Maui, Hawaii) finished the game 1-for-1, while Budmark finished 1-for-2. Alyson VanderPol (Mitchell, S.D.) pitched three innings and finished with three strikeouts, as Andrea Konz (Mitchell, S.D.) finished the game pitching four innings and allowing three earned runs.

 The offense got going on Sunday as the Tigers (1-3) took on future Great Plains Athletic Conference team, the University of Jamestown, but lost 11-5. DWU got on the scoreboard in the first inning as they took a 2-0 lead. In the third inning, Budmark hit a two-run homerun to centerfield to push the Tiger lead to 4-0. However, the Jimmies used a 10-run fourth inning to take the lead and down DWU. Budmark finished 2-for-4 with three RBIs and a homerun, while Melysia Ortega (West Covina, Calif.) ended the game 3-for-4.

 The Tigers finished the weekend against in-state rival Dakota State University and defeated the Trojans, 9-3. DWU found themselves in an early hole after allowing three runs in the first inning. But the Tigers added four runs in the third inning, two runs in the fourth inning and two runs in the final inning to down DSU. Konz led the Tigers as she went 4-for-5 with an RBI, while Konda finished 3-for-4 with an RBI and Haage went 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Haage pitched a complete game as she struck out seven batters and allowed just three hits and two earned runs.

 The Tigers return to action at the PC Dome Classic as they take on Dordt College, followed by Mount Marty College. First pitch is set for 10 a.m. Saturday in Aberdeen.