Mitchell, S.D. - Dakota Wesleyan took Game 1 of the doubleheader with an 8-0 win, powered by Alison Ernsberger's complete-game shutout and a 14-hit performance, including a home run from Peyton Bagley and three RBIs from Sophie Wietzema. Doane bounced back in Game 2 with a 7-4 victory, scoring in five innings and taking advantage of three errors, while Faith Molina and Lexi Alaniz-Diaz each drove in multiple runs to help secure the split.
Game 1: Dakota Wesleyan 8, Doane (NE) 0
Dakota Wesleyan rolled to an 8-0 shutout victory over Doane on April 17 in Mitchell, South Dakota, behind a well-rounded performance from both their offense and pitching staff. The Tigers came out strong with three runs in the first inning and never looked back, adding two more in the fourth and sealing the game with a three-run sixth. Peyton Bagley led the charge with a home run and two hits, while Sophie Wietzema delivered a clutch 3-for-4 day at the plate with three RBIs.
The offense was efficient and spread out, with eight different players recording hits and six driving in at least one run. Ashlen Johnson continued her steady presence in the lineup, collecting two hits, scoring twice, and driving in a run. Jordyn Blogg, Alison Ernsberger, and Jaden Warner each added RBIs to support the cause, and the team played clean defense with no errors.
Ernsberger was equally dominant in the circle, going the full six innings while allowing just three hits and no runs. She struck out five and walked only two in her first win of the season. With the victory, Dakota Wesleyan improved to 30-12 overall and 11-6 in conference play, showing strong momentum heading into the final stretch of the season.
Game 2: Dakota Wesleyan 7, Doane (NE) 4
Doane defeated Dakota Wesleyan 7-4 in the second game of their doubleheader on April 17 in Mitchell, South Dakota. Dakota Wesleyan opened the scoring with a run in the first inning, but Doane responded with two in the second and added runs in the fourth, sixth, and seventh. Dakota Wesleyan attempted a comeback with two runs in the bottom of the seventh but fell short.
Sophie Wietzema led Dakota Wesleyan at the plate, going 2-for-4 with three RBIs. Macy Moore and Ashlen Johnson each added extra-base hits, with Moore tripling and Johnson doubling. Dakota Wesleyan totaled seven hits and three walks but left seven runners on base. Peyton Bagley scored twice and recorded a stolen base.
Keirstyn Krcil pitched all seven innings for Dakota Wesleyan, allowing 10 hits and seven earned runs with no walks or strikeouts. Defensively, the team committed three errors, all by left fielder Macy Moore. Dakota Wesleyan dropped to 30-13 overall and 11-7 in conference play.
Up Next
The Tigers will host Waldorf this weekend for a doubleheader slated for a 1:00 p.m. start