Mitchell, S.D. –
The Tigers split their double header with the Briar Cliff Chargers this afternoon in Mitchell, S.D. Game 1 the Tigers struck first with a McKinnely Mull solo shot out of left field. Keirstyn Krcil started in the circle for the Tigers and was able to escape the jam in the second inning. After three Chargers got on base, Krcil was able to strike out two batters and induced the third out with a line out to Mull at shortstop.
The third inning the Chargers would put up three runs to take the lead over the Tigers. DWU looked to keep it close before the end of the third and did just that. Peyton Bagley stepped up to the plate and hammered one home straight out of centerfield to make it a one run game. With a chance to take back the lead in the fourth inning, the Tigers took advantage of a few Charger errors. Monique Gomez led off the fourth for the Tigers with a double to left center and Macy Moore followed it up with a hit to the same side and Gomez's run tied up the game at 3-3. Moore scored the fourth run for DWU after a fielding error by the Charger infield and Mull got on base. The Tigers scored their third run in the inning on another error made by the Briar Cliff defense. The Tigers left the inning with a 5-3 lead.
Briar Cliff scored a fourth run in the six but Krcil and the Tigers retired the Chargers in order in the seventh inning to take game one led by Krcil and two home runs from Bagley and Mull.
Game two started off with a bang for the Tigers after Mull homered into the right field to give Dakota Wesleyan their first run of game two. Alyssa Burke was the next batter and was just a few feet short of hitting another home run, Burke managed to get all the way to third base. Nora Nelson singled up the middle and Burke was able to give DWU the 2-1 lead after the first inning.
Briar Cliff scored ten runs between the second and fifth innings with six coming in the top of the fifth. The Tigers struggled to get runs on the board until the fifth inning. With Nelson and Reagan Grossi on first and third, Jordyn Blogg singled to center field and Nelson rounded third and scored a run. Gomez was the next batter up and reached first on an error and Grossi scored on the same error to make it 11-4 heading into the sixth inning.
Grace Ortmeier stepped in for the Tigers in the fifth inning and was able to limit the damage once she got in the circle. In the sixth frame, the Chargers had bases loaded after a pair of walks and a single. Ortmeier was able to get out of trouble thanks to Jaden Warner catching the third out on a pop out to first base. In the bottom of the sixth, Bagley hit her second home run of the day, but it was too little too late as this was the last run the Tigers would score. Briar Cliff took game two from DWU, 11-5.
Quick Stats
Game 1
Hitters -
McKinnely Mull 2 for 4, 2 H, 2 RBI, 1 HR
Peyton Bagley 2 for 4, 1 R, 1 RBI
Monique Gomez 2 for 3, 1 R
Pitchers –
Keirstyn Krcil 7.0 innings, 4 ER, 5K 11 H, 3 BB
Game 2
Hitters –
McKinnely Mull 2 for 3, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 HR
Peyton Bagley 1 for 4, 1 R, 1 HR
Pitchers –
Ivy Woolwine 4.2 innings, 10 R, 6 ER, 1 K
Grace Ortmeier 2.1 innings, 5 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 1 K
Up Next for the Tigers –
Dakota Wesleyan softball will travel to Fremont, Neb. for a double header contest against Midland on April 12th. Game one will start at 3:00 p.m.