TIGER SOFTBALL SPLITS DAY THREE IN ARIZONA
Tucson, Ariz. – Dakota Wesleyan splits day three in Arizona after dropping a close game this morning to St. Francis. The Tigers rebounded in the rematch of yesterday against Dickinson State in a 15-11 slug fest for their fifth win on the season.
The Quick Details
Score:
Game 1
DWU 6 – USF 9
Game 2
DWU 15 – DSU 11
Records:
DWU 5-11
USF 7-2
DSU 4-6
How It Happened
Game 1
The Tigers were quiet in game one as they trailed right away 1-0 after the first full inning of play. St. Francis continued to drive runs across in the third and fourth innings to lead 8-0, then 9-0 after four and a half innings played. DWU got the bats going in the bottom of the fifth inning as Hailey Linke lead off with a single to right field, followed by another single from Meghan Daffern for two runners on and no outs. Jaden Warner reached via fielder's choice before Linke was able to score on a Fighting Saints error. Mull then reached on an error by USF loading the bases with no outs. Peyton Bagley stepped up and sent one over the left field wall for a grand slam cutting the margin to 9-5 with no outs still. The Tigers then stranded Reagan Grossi on first base after an inning with five runs, four hits, and two Fighting Saint errors. DWU held USF scoreless in the top of the sixth while stranding one runner on base. The Tigers grabbed one more run in the bottom of the inning for the final run of the game and dropping game one 9-6.
Daffern tossed a complete game allowing 17 hits, nine runs, two walks, and one home run on 40 batters faced.
Beyond the Results
- Peyton Bagley: 1-for-4, one run, four RBI, and a home run
- McKinnely Mull: 1-for-4, one run, one RBI
- Jaden Warner: 1-for-3, two runs, and a triple
Game 2
It was a rematch from yesterday for the Tigers in game two of the day. Mull put DWU on the board early with a steal of home followed by Burke taking home plate on an error by the catcher for the early 2-0 lead. The margin was then cut in half in the bottom of the inning by the Blue Hawks as they were able to drive a run in on a single to left field. After going thee-up and three-down in the second inning, DSU drove in five runs on four hits in the second to lead 6-2. Dakota Wesleyan answered in the third climbing within one run of tying the game as Bagley singled allowing Mull to score and Mathiasen singled to center field allowing Burke and Bagley to score. Dickinson State grabbed one more run in the fourth inning to lead 7-5 heading into the back half of the game. The Tiger began to hit better in the fifth inning as Reagan Grossi doubled to left field allowing Burke to score, followed by Daffern with a sac for Mathiasen to score tying the game at 7-7. Monique Gomez put the Tigers back in control with an RBI single to left field driving Grossi across to lead 8-7. DWU allowed one run in the bottom of the fifth inning as the game was tied 8-8 once again. Four more Tiger runs in the top of the sixth inning, but DWU ahead 12-8. Mathiasen with a sac fly, Grossi on a two RBI double, and Daffern with a one RBI double. The Blue Hawks tightened the margin in the bottom of the inning with a two-run homer to center field as the Tigers were still in control 12-10. Bagley's bases clearing triple in the seventh sealed the game for DWU as they only allowed one run in the bottom of the inning to close out the day with a 15-11 win.
Daffern grabbed the win after tossing five complete innings allowing 12 hits, 10 runs, two walks, two home runs, and striking out three on 31 batters faces. Farris tossed two innings and allowed one hit, one run, and one walk on 10 batters faced.
Beyond the Results
- Alyssa Burke: 4-for-4 and five runs
- Peyton Bagley: 3-for-5, two runs, four RBI, and a triple
- McKinnely Mull: 2-for-4, three runs, stolen base, and a double
Up Next
Dakota Wesleyan softball is back in action tomorrow for the last time in the Arizona sun as they take on (RV) Olivet Nazarene in a 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. game.