Tiger softball splits day one of Tucson Invitational

TUCSON, Ariz. – In the first day of the Tucson Invitational the Dakota Wesleyan University softball team defeated St. Xavier University, 5-3 and fell to Madonna University, 9-0 Monday in Tucson, Ariz.

 In the first game, the Tigers (3-7) added the first three runs of the game in the fourth inning. With two outs and the bases loaded, Claudia Nixon (Shaunavon, Saskatchewan, Canada) was walked, bringing a run across home plate. Next, Sierra Haage (Sioux Falls, S.D.) knocked a single behind second base, bringing home two more runs. However, the Cougars (0-2) added two runs in the fifth inning and a run in the sixth inning to tie the game. In the bottom of the seventh inning, Alyssa Garcia (L.A. Verne, Calif.) smacked a single into left field, bringing home the winning run as Andriana Sprakel (Yankton, S.D.) crossed home plate.

 Garcia finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run, while Haage went 1-for-2 with two RBIs. Sprakel finished the game 2-for-4 with a run and Amber Budmark (Sacramento, Calif.) went 2-for-4 with a run. Haage picked up the victory on the mound for DWU after pitching four innings, striking out five batters and only allowing one earned run.

 The second game of the day did not go as planned for DWU. The Crusaders (7-4) jumped out to a 4-0 lead after adding three runs in the first inning and one in the second inning. Both teams were held scoreless until the fifth inning when Madonna added three more runs, while plating two runs in the seventh inning.

 Andrea Konz (Mitchell, S.D.), Katelyne Dougherty (Maui, Hawaii), Stephanie Gabel (Sioux Falls, S.D.) and Chaydon Metzger (Larchwood, Iowa) each finished the game 1-for-3 at the plate. Alyson VanderPol (Mitchell, S.D.) was tagged with the loss as she pitched three innings, striking out two batters and allowing four earned runs.

 The Tigers play Grace College (Ind.) at 1 p.m. CT, Indiana Wesleyan University at 3 p.m. CT and Missouri Valley College at 7 p.m. CT tomorrow in Tucson, Ariz.