Trojans Sweep DWU in the Dome

Vermilion, SD 3/18/06 – Seventy degrees and calm, that was the forecast for inside the Dakota Dome on Saturday night and the Trojans took full advantage of the conditions. After moving games to Vermilion due to the recent weather the Trojans hosted Dakota Wesleyan in a late night double header. The Trojans wasted no time jumping out in front of the Tigers, who they split with earlier in the year, scoring seven runs in the second inning.

The Tigers would fight back taking advantage of some Trojan mistakes to score three runs in both the third and fifth innings to bring the score to 7-6. After settling down the Trojans came back to score three runs of their own in the bottom of the sixth inning to make the score 10-6. In the top of the seventh DWU’s Lindsey Reandeau would hit a two run homerun to close the gap 10-8 where the score would stand as the Trojans would take the first game of the double header.

In the game the Trojans where lead offensively by Allie Gilbert and Lori Olen who each had two hits and Amber Huber added a homerun as well. In the circle Steph Brakel picked up her 10^th win of the season allowing 8 runs on 9 hits while striking out 6.

In the Second game of the night the Trojans found themselves trailing 3-0 at the end of the first inning but in true Trojan style they came out swinging and responded by scoring two runs in the second. The Tigers would add to their lead scoring three more runs in the third inning and knocking starter Steph Brakel out of the game after allowing 6 runs on 9 hits in just three innings of work.

With Brakel out of the circle the Trojans looked to freshman Katie Albertus to hold the Tiger offense in check and she did just that allowing only 1 run on three hits in four innings of work, while the Trojan offense responded scoring four runs in the fourth and three more in the fifth to take the lead 9-7 and give Albertus her first win of the season.

“Steph started to get tight after having a come backer catch her just under the ribs. So we turned to Albertus who had given us some solid innings this season, and she responded wonderfully coming in and shutting down DWU who was really swinging the bats well tonight. It is nice to avenge one of earlier losses and to take the season series 3-1 over DWU, but it is just one small step in the direction we are looking to take the program.” Stated Head Coach Brad Hesser.

With the sweep the Trojans improve their overall record to 11-5. The Trojans will be in action tomorrow night as they take on Mt. Marty in the Dakota Dome with the first pitch scheduled for 10: pm.