DWU softball sweeps Briar Cliff in Omaha

OMAHA, Neb. – Having to travel to Omaha, Neb., to play a home game, the Dakota Wesleyan University softball team swept Briar Cliff University in a Great Plains Athletic Conference doubleheader after winning game one 10-0 in five innings, and taking the second game 6-1 Thursday.

 The Tigers (10-18, 6-4 GPAC) took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning. In the next inning, Andriana Sprakel (Yankton, S.D.) hit a single, bringing Paige Kinley (Worthington, Minn.) home for the score. Two batters later, Melysia Ortega (West Covina, Calif.) singled into left field, adding another run. Finishing off the second inning was Sierra Haage (Sioux Falls, S.D.) as she singled into left field, good for a run.

 In the bottom of the third inning, with the bases loaded, junior Karly Severance (Las Vegas, Nev.) came up to the plate. Severance smacked a grand slam over the left-field fence to help push DWU to victory. Severance led the charge for DWU as she finished 2-for-3 with five RBIs and a homerun, as Ortega went 2-for-2 with two RBIs. Haage picked up the victory on the mound as she pitched seven innings, striking out three batters and only allowing two hits.

 In the second game, DWU took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning after a BCU fielding error plated two Tigers. Neither team added another run until the sixth inning when DWU extended its lead with four runs. The Chargers (5-24, 2-10 GPAC) added one run in the top of the seventh, but it was not enough as the Tigers took the second game.

 Alyssa Garcia (L.A. Verne, Calif.), Andrea Konz (Mitchell, S.D.) and Kinley each finished the game 1-for-3 with an RBI, while Haage pitched the full game, striking out four batters in the victory.

 DWU will is set to host GPAC opponent Midland University at 1 p.m. Sunday in Mitchell.