DSU splits on day two

Tucson, AZ 3/5/07 - After a solid opening day in Arizona, the Trojans split a pair of games against William Penn (IA) and Peru State (NE). In the first game of the day the Trojans took on William Penn and showed more signs of what the season may hold for the Trojans as they took an early lead scoring two runs on three hits in the first inning, before giving up the lead in the third inning when the Statesman would score three runs on five hits to take a 3-2 lead. The Trojans would go on to strand nine runners on base and allow William Penn to secure a 3-2 win.

“I am very pleased with the way our kids played in this game, William Penn is a very solid program, we played their split squad yesterday and had an idea of what to expect and we played very well. William Penn was 55-22 last season and a game like this is good for our program it really gives us a good measuring stick to see where we are at. If we continue to improve with each game we will be were we want to be come the end of the regular season.” Stated head coach Ken Prorok.

After the tough lose to William Penn the Trojans were hosted by Dakota State University’s President Dr. Knowlton, Athletic Director Gene Wockenfuss, and DSU’s Director of Development Chris Giles for a luncheon before returning to the complex in Tucson to take on Peru State College.

In the second game the Trojans found themselves behind 7-0 going into the bottom half of the fourth inning before making their move. The Trojans would score one run in the bottom of the fourth, but would put Peru State on notice leaving the bases loaded. The Trojans would go on to add three runs in the fifth and two more in the sixth before allowing Peru to score again in the top of the seventh. Entering the bottom of the seventh inning the Trojans found themselves trailing 8-6. The Trojans would get a lead off walk by Tressa Wheeler, followed up by a single by Dakota Novotny which brought the top of the order to the plate. With runners at first and second Lori Olen laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners to second and third. Emily Pyle then hit a two RBI double tying the game 8-8. With a runner at second and two outs DeDe Siehndel would then hit a ball to left field scoring Pyle and giving the Trojans a 9-8 win over the defending MCAC conference and tournament champions.

“We showed a lot of heart in this game, it would have been very easy for our kids to give up when we were down 7-0, but they hunkered down and found a way to get it done. Today has been good for our program playing two regionally ranked and nationally recognized programs and playing they way we did votes well for where we are headed” added Prorok.

The Trojans are in action again tomorrow taking on Morningside (IA) who was 42-15 last season and Judson (IL) at 10:30 and 3:00 respectively.