Sioux Center, IA - The Dakota Wesleyan softball put together a dominant performance, sweeping Ottawa (KS) Sunday afternoon with a 1-0 win and a 6-2 victory to improve to 11-3 on the season.
Game 1: Dakota Wesleyan 1, Ottawa (KS) 0
Dakota Wesleyan (10-3) secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Ottawa on Saturday, showcasing dominant pitching and timely defense to extend their impressive start to the season.
The Tigers struck early, scoring the game's only run in the first inning when Peyton Bagley ripped a triple and later came around to score. Despite limited offensive production, Dakota Wesleyan capitalized on key moments while keeping Ottawa off the board.
Pitcher Alison Ernsberger (4-0) delivered a stellar performance in the circle, tossing a complete-game shutout. She allowed just three hits, walked three, and struck out seven over seven innings, stifling Ottawa's offense. The defense played a crucial role, highlighted by strong infield play and a key double play turned behind Ernsberger.
Ashlen Johnson and Ernsberger each contributed doubles, while Alessandra Ciurca added a stolen base to keep the pressure on Ottawa's defense. The Tigers' pitching and defensive prowess ultimately sealed the victory, stranding five Ottawa baserunners and securing the shutout.
Game 2: Dakota Wesleyan 6, Ottawa (KS) 2
Dakota Wesleyan followed up their shutout win with another strong performance, defeating Ottawa 6-2 behind an explosive offensive showing and a solid outing in the circle.
The Tigers racked up 12 hits, led by McKinnely Mull, who went 2-for-4 with a home run, three RBIs, and a run scored. Jordyn Blogg drove in two runs, while Ashlen Johnson and Jaycee Tebay each added key hits to keep the offense rolling. Aggressive base running also played a role, with Peyton Bagley, Ashlen Johnson, and Kassidy Lopez each swiping a base.
Keirstyn Krcil earned the win, pitching 4.1 innings and allowing five earned runs, while striking out two. Alison Ernsberger closed with 2.2 innings, allowing just one run and striking out four. The duo combined for six strikeouts and one walk, securing the victory.
Dakota Wesleyan's offense delivered 12 hits, with McKinnely Mull's home run and key doubles from Jaycee Tebay and Jordyn Blogg contributing to the win. Despite Ottawa's 11 hits, the Tigers' solid defense and timely pitching held strong, securing the victory and pushing their record to 11-3—the best start in over a decade.
Highlighted Players
- Peyton Bagley (Sr., Rapid City, S.D., Biochemistry) Went 1-for-2 in Game 1 with a triple and scored the only run of the game.
- Jaycee Tebay (Fr., Dell Rapids, S.D., Nursing) Went 2-for-2 in Game 2 with two doubles, two runs scored, and an RBI. She also contributed defensively at first base, recording three putouts.
Up Next
The Tigers head to Tucson, Ariz., for the Tucson Invitational, where they will face a variety of teams from the Golden State Athletic Conference, Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference, Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference, and the Heart of America Conference. Dakota Wesleyan will be in action from March 5-11 as they look to continue their impressive early-season momentum.