Softball Falls in Conference Regular Season Finale

Softball closed out the regular season on Saturday with the second game of their doubleheader against Hastings. The Broncos picked up a walkoff win over the Tigers, 8-5, to force a three-way tie with Mount Marty for the final two spots in the GPAC Tournament next week. With the Lancers losing twice to Midland on Saturday, Hastings will be the seven-seed in the tournament with Doane receiving the eight-seed and Mount Marty missing the tournament.

The Tigers jumped out to a 4-0 lead through three innings of play. In the first inning, an error allowed Grace Dowding to score the first run. In the second inning, an error allowed Faith Molina to score. Milannie Gonzalez singled in the third inning to drive in Anna Prauner and Bri True.

Hastings tied the game in the fourth inning. The Broncos received a leadoff home run and followed with three unearned runs scoring with two outs. In the fifth inning, Hastings took the lead on a Tiger error.

Doane came back in the sixth inning to tie the game on a sacrifice by Jeryn Allen to plate Lexi Adams. Hastings won the game in the bottom of the seventh on a three-run home run.

True started in the circle for the Tigers and went 3.0-plus innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits and two walks with one strikeout. Faith Molina threw the final 3.0 innings, allowing six runs (three earned) on five hits and two walks with two strikeouts.

Molina was 2-for-3 at the plate with a run scored and a double while Allen was 2-for-2 with an RBI.

Doane will take on Northwestern, the top seed in the GPAC Tournament, on Wednesday, April 30 at 12 PM in Orange City, Iowa. Dakota Wesleyan and Concordia will meet in the other game in the double-elimination bracket. The winner of the bracket will play a best of three series against the Midland bracket champion on May 3 at the highest remaining seed.

Before the Tigers head into the GPAC Tournament, Doane will travel to take on Bellevue on April 29 at 5 PM.