Trojans Split with NAIA #18 Dickinson

     Madison, SD 4/9/07 - The Dakota State University Softball team hosted the Blue Hawks of Dickinson State University today and split against the #1 team in the region. The Blue Hawks entered the series 10-4 overall 2-0 in the conference and as the 18^th ranked team in the nation.

     In the first game the Trojans scored two runs in the second inning taking an early 2-0 lead over Dickinson State, however the Blue Hawks would answer in the third scoring three runs to take a 3-2 lead at the end of the third inning. The Blue Hawks would go on to add 6 more runs and secure a 9-2 win improving their record to 11-4 and dropping the Trojans to 12-13.

     Offensively the Trojans only mustered two hits one each by Ashlee Kirschenman and Reba Sabo. Freshman Pitcher Dakota Novotny took the lose dropping her record to 6-7 on the year.

     In the second game of the double header the Trojans found themselves trailing 4-1 after the first inning. The Trojans would respond by scoring 5 runs in the next three innings taking a 6-4 lead headed into the 6^th inning.  Dickinson State would add a run in the sixth making the game 6-5 in favor of the Trojans. The Trojans improve their record to 13-13 overall, and 4-4 in the highly competitive Dakota Athletic Conference (DAC), while Dickinson falls to 11-5 and 3-1 in the DAC.

     Offensively for the Trojans DeDe Siehndel, Jamie Becker, and Angie Gottsleben had two hits a piece while Jessica VanLoy drove in three runs followed by Siehndel who added two RBI’s. In the circle Steph Brakel got the win improving her record to 5-5 while Sara Gibson recorded her third save of the year.

     “I am very pleased with the way our team has dealt with the weather variables, as Mother Nature has not been to kind the past three weeks. During this time we have really talked a lot with our team about what it means to compete, and what we need to do to put ourselves in a position to win ball games. The team has responded very well during the past 10 or so games and we have put ourselves in a position to win most of those ball games, and that is what happened in the second game today. Dickinson is a great program that has a ton of tradition and very good athletes I am happy with the way we competed today but it is just one game and we need to work to improve each and every game.” Stated Trojan Head Coach Ken Prorok.

     The Trojans are slated to be in action again on Wednesday as they are to host DAC opponent Mayville State University with first pitch scheduled for 3:00pm.