Softball Drops Pitcher's Dual in Game One with DWU

CRETE, Neb. - Dakota Wesleyan held off Doane in game one of Saturday's GPAC softball doubleheader, defeating the Tigers 3-1 at the Doane Ballfield Complex in Crete.

The visitors struck first in the opening inning, using three hits and a Doane error to take a 1-0 lead. Dakota Wesleyan threatened for more, but the Tigers limited the damage and stayed within striking distance early.

Doane answered in the bottom of the third. Lilly Lewis started the rally with a two-out single, and Jeryn Allen followed with a double to left field that brought Lewis home to even the score at 1-1.

Dakota Wesleyan regained the lead in the fourth. Jordyn Blogg singled to open the inning and later scored on a two-out double down the left field line by Liliana Arreola, putting the Tigers from Mitchell back in front 2-1. The visitors added an insurance run in the fifth when Elle Feser delivered a two-out RBI double to right-center to extend the advantage to 3-1.

Doane had a late chance in the seventh after Evelyn Iniguez doubled with one out and Hannah Pack moved to third on a wild pitch, but Dakota Wesleyan pitcher Alison Ernsberger recorded a strikeout to end the threat and finish off the complete-game victory.

Allen drove in Doane's lone run and finished 1-for-3 with a double. Iniguez went 2-for-3 with a double, while Lewis added a hit and scored the Tigers' only run.

Trinity Robinson tossed a complete game for Doane, allowing three runs on 11 hits while striking out two over seven innings.

Dakota Wesleyan was led offensively by Alessandra Ciurca, Liliana Arreola, Macy Moore and Jordyn Blogg, who each collected two hits. Ernsberger earned the win in the circle after allowing one run on four hits with seven strikeouts in seven innings.

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