DWU splits with Jimmies on Senior Day

MITCHELL, S.D. – The Dakota Wesleyan University softball team split a Senior Day series with the University of Jamestown as DWU won the opening game 3-2, while UJ took the second game, 7-4 in Great Plains Athletic Conference action Wednesday at Dr. McWhirter Field in Mitchell, S.D.

 The Jimmies (26-14, 10-8 GPAC) jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning with an RBI single. One frame later, Jamestown added another run as a runner stole home following a batter being walked.

 Amber Budmark (Sacramento, Calif.) put the Tigers (12-28, 7-13 GPAC) on the scoreboard with a solo shot homerun in the fourth inning. In the next inning, Andriana Sprakel (Yankton, S.D.) nailed an RBI single to center field to tie the game. One batter later, Adriana Thomason (Las Vegas, Nev.) connected on an RBI single to center field to give the Tigers the lead.

 Senior pitcher Sierra Haage (Sioux Falls, S.D.) helped put the game out of reach as she kept the Jimmies off the scoreboard for the remainder of the game, securing the Senior Day victory. 

 Sprakel, Thomason and Budmark each finished the game 1-for-3 with an RBI. Stephanie Gabel (Sioux Falls, S.D.) secured a run scored, while Karly Severance (Las Vegas, Nev.) went 1-for-3 at the plate. Haage picked up the win on the mound as she went the distance, striking out six batters. 

 The second game began quickly for the Jimmies as they tacked on five runs in the opening two innings of play. However, Severance cut into the lead with a two-run homerun to give the Tigers new life.

 Jamestown tallied a run in the following inning, but Sprakel smacked an RBI single to right field to keep the Tigers within striking distance. One batter later, Thomason hit an RBI single to center field, bringing DWU within two runs. But, Jamestown notched an insurance run in the fifth frame to take the final game from the Tigers.

 Thomason went 3-for-4 with an RBI, while Severance added a homerun and two runs batted in. Sprakel went 1-for-3 with an RBI, as Budmark chipped in a run scored.

 DWU concludes the regular season at the College of St. Mary at 1 p.m. Saturday in Omaha, Neb.