Softball Blanks Dakota State in Five Innings

SIOUX CENTER, Iowa — Doane Softball erupted for six runs in the bottom of the first and never looked back, rolling past Dakota State (S.D.) 10-0 in five innings Friday afternoon in Sioux Center.

The Tigers (4-4) piled up nine hits and swiped four bases while the pitching staff combined on a two-hit shutout. Bri True earned the win, working four scoreless innings with seven strikeouts, allowing just two hits and no walks. Trinity Robinson closed the door in the fifth, striking out all three batters she faced.

Early speed sets the tone

Doane's first inning was fueled by pressure on the bases. Jaiden Papik and Jeryn Allen opened with bunt singles, and the Tigers immediately went into attack mode—highlighted by Papik stealing home to spark the scoring.

Evelyn Iniguez followed with an RBI single to center, and the inning continued with Kayla Meyer driving in a run with a single and Ciara Hudson delivering the big blow, a two-run triple to left center. Hannah Pack capped the frame with a sacrifice bunt RBI as Doane sent 10 batters to the plate in the six-run opening.

Meyer's three-run blast breaks it open

Doane tacked on four more in the third. After singles from True and Katelyn Hays, a pair of wild pitches moved runners into scoring position, setting up Meyer's three-run home run to left. Later in the inning, Hudson walked and stole second before Jacqueline Ordonez brought her home with an RBI groundout.

Leaders at the plate

• K. Meyer: 2-for-2, 4 RBI, HR, run

• C. Hudson: 1-for-1, 2 RBI, 3B, walk, 2 runs

• K. Hays: 2-for-2, 2 runs

• J. Papik: 1-for-2, HBP, run, SB

• E. Iniguez: 1-for-3, RBI, run, SB

Dakota State (2-3) managed just two hits in the contest.

(generated by ChatGPT)