Softball splits with Concordia after winning extra-inning thriller

SEWARD, Neb. – After winning a thrilling first game, 3-2 in 10 innings, the Dakota Wesleyan University softball team dropped the second game, 7-6 in eight innings to split the series with Great Plains Athletic Conference opponent Concordia University Monday in Seward, Neb.

 The Tigers (11-21, 7-7 GPAC) took a 1-0 lead after Amber Budmark (Sacramento, Calif.) singled to left field, bringing Andrea Konz (Mitchell, S.D.) home for the score. However, the Bulldogs (18-18, 7-9 GPAC) took their first lead of the game in the bottom of the third after plating two runs.

 Later in the game, Karly Severance (Las Vegas, Nev.) smashed a solo homerun past left field to tie the game at 2-2, forcing extra innings. Neither team scored until the 10^th inning when Budmark knocked a double into right field, plating Konz for the score. Sierra Haage (Sioux Falls, S.D.) kept the Bulldogs off the scoreboard in the bottom of the 10^th to give DWU the victory.

 Budmark went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, while Severance finished 1-for-5 with a homerun and an RBI. Haage pitched the complete game after recording three strikeouts and only allowing four hits.

 Concordia took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning to begin the second game. DWU tied the game one inning later after Konz knocked a one-run single up the middle. But, the Bulldogs took a 3-1 lead after adding two more runs in the bottom of the second.

 DWU tied the game again in the fourth inning after an error and a sacrifice fly brought two runners home. Senior Paige Kinley (Worthington, Minn.) kicked off the sixth inning with a solo homerun to put the Tigers up by a run. A few batters later, Stephanie Gabel (Sioux Falls, S.D.) hit a two-run double into left-center field to provide a 6-3 lead for DWU.

 In the bottom of the seventh, Concordia added three runs to tie the game. With runners in scoring position, Severance snagged the line drive and touched first base for the double play, forcing extra innings for a second-consecutive game. After DWU could not plate a runner, the Bulldogs scored a run in the bottom of the eighth to down the Tigers in the second game.

 Kinley finished 3-for-4 with a homerun and an RBI, while Konz finished 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Gabel went 1-for-3 with two RBIs at the plate, while Alyson VanderPol (Mitchell, S.D.) pitched six and one-third innings, striking out four batters.

 The Tigers take on Hastings College Wednesday at 3 p.m. at Dr. McWhirter Field in Mitchell, S.D.