Softball splits with Lancers

YANKTON, S.D. – The Dakota Wesleyan University softball team split a Great Plains Athletic Conference doubleheader with in-state rival Mount Marty College. DWU won the first game by a score of 8-6 and dropped the second matchup, 10-2 Saturday in Yankton, S.D.

 The Tigers (6-16, 1-1 GPAC) got the bats swinging early as Amber Budmark (Sacramento, Calif.) nailed a three-run homerun, followed by a Karly Severance (Las Vegas, Nev.) homerun to give DWU a 4-0 lead.

 MMC added a run in the bottom of the same inning as DWU led 4-1. Budmark picked up where she left off in the second frame as she smacked another three-run homerun to give DWU a 7-1 lead.

 The Lancers (12-12, 3-3 GPAC) added three runs in the bottom half of the frame to pull within three runs. MMC added a run in the fourth and fifth innings to make it a one-run game. However, Andriana Sprakel (Yankton, S.D.) hit a solo homerun to secure the opening game victory.

 Budmark led the Tigers as she went 2-for-4 with six RBIs and two runs at the plate. Sprakel finished 2-for-3 with an RBI and three runs, as Severance went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run. Sierra Haage (Sioux Falls, S.D.) picked up the win on the mound as she pitched the full seven innings, striking out four batters and allowed seven hits.

 The second game was a pitcher's dual until the fourth inning when the Lancers opened the game with a four-run inning. The Tigers cut the lead in half in the fifth inning as two runners were walked with the bases loaded.

 But, the Lancers put the game away with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth frame and four runs in the sixth inning.

 Sprakel finished 1-for-3 with a run, while Allison McElveny (Chula Vista, Calif.) went 1-for-2 from the plate. Alyson VanderPol (Mitchell, S.D.) pitched three and two-third innings while striking out two batters and allowed two hits.

 The Tigers are set to play Dordt College in a doubleheader beginning at 5 p.m. Wednesday in Mitchell, S.D.