Softball Opens Season with Win over Sioux Falls

Softball opened the season on Friday afternoon in Sioux Center, Iowa, playing in the ASB Dome and taking on NCAA Division II Sioux Falls. The Cougars, a former GPAC foe, led after two innings but could not hold off a Tiger rally as Doane won 6-4.

Hannah Pack scored the first run of the season for Doane as she crossed the plate in the first inning on an error. Sioux Falls came back with four runs in the second inning to take a 4-1 lead. Doane tied the game in the third inning with three runs. An error allowed Milannie Gonzalez to score the first run. A triple by Jeryn Allen plated Marisa Marquez and Ciara Hudson to tie the game, 4-4.

The Tigers regained the lead in the fifth inning on an RBI-single from Anna Prauner to plate Gonzalez. Allen became the 10th player in program history to record two triples in a game when she picked up one in the sixth inning and then scored on an overthrow to give Doane their final run.

Faith McDonald started for the Tigers in the circle and threw 2.0 innings, allowing four runs on three hits and three walks with one strikeout. Faith Molina threw in relief and went 5.0 scoreless innings, allowing two runs and two walks with five strikeouts.

Doane finished with four hits in the game, two from Allen. Gonzalez led the team with two runs scored. The Tigers had four stolen bases in the game, two from Hudson.

Next up for the Tigers will be an evening contest with Dakota State at 6 PM on Friday night.