MULL’S RECORD SETTING HOME RUN NOT ENOUGH TO LIFT TIGERS OVER BRONCOS
Hastings, Neb. – Dakota Wesleyan softball played a close game one over Hastings, leading 2-0 through five complete frames. The Tigers got rolling right away in game two as leadoff batter McKinnely Mull sized up the diamond and sent one over the left field wall for her 12th home run of the 2023 season as she now stands alone in the record book.
The Quick Details
Score:
Game 1
DWU 2 – HAS 5
Game 2
DWU 6 – HAS 14
How It Happened
Game 1
Dakota Wesleyan was on a roll in game one right away as leadoff batter Peyton Bagley was the first runner aboard for the Tigers with a hard-hit single to third, followed by another single by Mull to left field for runners on first and second. Hastings loaded the bases with Tiger runners as Alyssa Burke was hit by a pitch. Jaden Warner drove in the opening run with a sac fly to left field for the early 1-0 lead. In the following three frames, DWU and the Broncos made quick work defensively. In the top of the fifth inning, Monique Gomez was patient at the plate and reaching via walk. Mull stepped to the plate with one out and batting third in the order, she dropped a double into left center field allowing Bagley to score for the early 2-0 lead. Things got away from DWU in the bottom of the sixth inning as the small 2-0 lead quickly turned into the Tigers trailing by the final score of 5-2.
Meghan Daffern tossed five complete innings in the game allowing seven hits, two runs, two walks, and one home run while striking out three of her 24 total batters faced. Katelyn Farris stepped in for the final inning allowing four hits, three runs, and one walk.
Beyond the Results
- McKinnely Mull: 2-for-3, an RBI, and a double
- Peyton Bagley: 1-for-4, and two runs
Game 2
The second game of the evening was a battle for DWU, but it didn't come without a bit of history in the top of the first inning. With Mull's first at bat of game two, she sent one over the left field wall for her 12th home run of the 2023 season. Mull now stands alone at the top of the DWU Softball record book, as she passes the previous home run record of 11 set by Savannah Ahumada back in 2016. The Tigers went back and forth with the Broncos, leading 1-0 right away before falling behind 2-1 in the bottom of the inning. DWU was able to tie the game again at 2-2 in the second as Brianna Dawson got in on the home run action. McKenna Thomason and Keirstyn Krcil each added to the lead with singles to left field allowing runs to score. After a bottom of the fourth blunder, Dakota Wesleyan was unable to recover and climb back into the game as they fall 14-6.
Krcil tossed 3.1 innings of game two allowing six hits, seven runs, six earned, walking two batter and striking out three of her 19 batters faced. Danielle Ratute stepped in for relief throwing 2.1 innings as she allowed six hits, seven runs, four earned, and striking out four of her 18 batters faced.
Beyond the Results
The story line here is Mull's 12th home run of the 2023 season as she takes the crown for most home runs hit in a single season in a Dakota Wesleyan softball uniform.
Up Next
Tiger softball is back in action again tomorrow with another double header from Nebraska. The final road double header in what has turned out to be a long challenging season with schedule change after schedule change will be the season meeting of the tigers. Dakota Wesleyan will be in Crete, Nebraska tomorrow afternoon for a 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. first pitch against the Doane Tigers.