Tigers drop two extra-inning thrillers

FREMONT, Neb. – Seven innings were not enough between the Dakota Wesleyan University and Midland University softball teams as each game went into extra innings. DWU fell, 3-2 in Game One and 2-1 in Game Two Sunday afternoon in Great Plains Athletic Conference action in Fremont, Neb.

 In the first game, both teams put their first runs on the scoreboard in the second inning. The Warriors (17-21, 7-9) added their second run in the bottom of the fourth. In the seventh, Alize Martinez (Palmdale, Calif.) singled to right field to bring home the tying run. The comeback fell short as Midland knocked a walk-off single to right field to win Game One.

 Elise Sutherland (Stansbury, Utah) went 1-for-3 with a run as Martinez finished 1-for-4 with the game-tying RBI. Sierra Haage (Sioux Falls, S.D.) went the distance on the mound as she pitched seven innings and allowed three runs off 12 hits and struck out eight batters.

 Trailing 1-0 in Game Two, Martinez came to the plate and flied out to left field, bringing in the tying run. Just as the first game ended, the Tigers (17-30, 7-9 GPAC) lost Game Two in the eighth, 2-1.

 Martinez went 2-for-3 with an RBI while Andriana Sprakel (Yankton, S.D.) finished 2-for-3 with a run. Haage finished Game Two on the mound after pitching seven and two-third innings allowing two runs off 10 hits and five strikeouts.

 The Tigers take on GPAC opponent, Morningside College at 3 p.m. Wednesday in Sioux City, Iowa.