MITCHELL, S.D. – For the first time in 2016, the Dakota Wesleyan University softball team was in action at McWhirter Field, as the Tigers took on NCAA Division II program Southwest Minnesota State University Tuesday in Mitchell, S.D.
The Tigers rallied in game one for a walk-off 3-2 win in game one, while DWU put together strong offense to take game two 6-2 to complete the sweep. The wins push DWU to 4-8 overall this season as the team gets ready for its annual spring break trip to Arizona.
The Mustangs scored a run in each third and fifth to take a 2-0 lead. The Tigers responded quickly with freshman Savannah Ahumada (Turlock, Calif.) doubling to centerfield in the fifth, scoring senior Hailey Unger (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada) and freshman Katelyne Dougherty (Maui, Hawaii) on the play.
The score remained tied into the seventh inning as freshman Tiger pitcher Hallie Misiaszek (Mitchell, S.D.) kept the Mustangs quiet. After Misiaszek sent SMSU down in order in the top of the seventh, the Tiger bats came alive in the bottom half. Dougherty and Unger both singled to start the frame and with one out freshman Sierra Haage (Sioux Falls, S.D.) doubled to bring the game-winning run across the plate.
Misiaszek (1-1) picked up the win for DWU, the first of her career. She tossed all seven innings, allowing two runs on six hits, while walking five and striking out one. Unger and Dougherty each came away with two hits, while Dougherty added two runs scored.
DWU finished with three runs on seven hits and two errors, while SMSU had two runs on six hits with two errors.
SMSU got ahead 2-0 for the second straight game in the finale with two runs in the first, but the Tigers did not wait to respond. DWU scored five runs in the first three innings and added one in the fifth to pull away.
The Tigers got another sparkling performance from a freshman pitcher, with Haage tossing all seven innings in the win. She allowed two runs on three hits, while walking six and striking out five. Haage is 2-3 this season.
After freshman Karly Severance (Las Vegas, Nev.) doubled in a run with shot off the fence, Haage delivered the game's big blow, clearing the bases with a double to leftfield in the second inning to put DWU up 4-2. Dougherty added an RBI in the third and Severance came through win an insurance run on an RBI single in the fifth.
The Tigers scored six on 10 hits and finished with no errors, while SMSU had two runs on just three hits and one error.
DWU heads to the Tucson Invitational for 10 games over five days starting against Grace University at 11 a.m. Saturday in Tucson, Ariz.
