SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- The Minot State University softball team dropped a Sunday road doubleheader against Sioux Falls with 9-1 and 7-2 losses to end a bumpy road trip.
With the two losses, the Beavers slip to 16-18 overall and 9-11 in the NSIC. Sioux Falls improves to 19-16 overall and 13-8 in conference with the pair of victories.
The Beavers sit in 10th place with eight regular-season games left to play hoping to cling to the final postseason spot and punch their ticket into the NSIC Tournament.
GAME 1 | Sioux Falls 9, Minot State 1 (5 innings)
The Beavers struggled during Game 1 on Sunday, falling to the Sioux Falls Cougars by a final score of 9-1.
Freshman Gabi Dawyduk (L, 4-6) started and took the loss in the circle for Minot State (16-17, ).
Senior Julia Suchan led the way offensively for the Beavers, going 2-for-3 in the ballgame with an RBI. Sophomore Jamie Odlum compiled a standout day at the plate as well, going 2-for-3.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Beavers put runs on the scoreboard first, starting the scoring in the third inning. Minot State got an RBI single from Suchan, scoring sophomore Jazmin Karunungan from third base. The Beavers were unable to hold the lead, as Sioux Falls scored nine times over the remaining two innings to grab the 9-1 win.
GAME NOTES
» Minot State's highest-scoring inning was the third when it pushed one run across.
» Minot State pitchers faced 28 Sioux Falls hitters in the game, allowing eight ground balls and four fly balls while striking out one.
» Suchan led the Beavers at the plate, going 2-for-3 with an RBI.
» Sioux Falls was led offensively by sophomore Kaitlyn VanDerZwaag, who went 1-for-3 with a home run and four RBIs.
» VanDerZwaag led the Cougars pitching staff, throwing five innings of one-run ball.
GAME 2 | Sioux Falls 7, Minot State 2
The Beavers offense continued to struggle during Game 2, falling to the Sioux Falls Cougars 7-2 despite the efforts of sophomore Jamie Odlum, who went 2-for-4.
Junior Trinity Valentine (L, 8-8) got the ball to start for Minot State (16-18, 9-11) and took the loss.
Odlum led the way offensively for the Beavers, going 2-for-4 in the ballgame. Freshman Lenora Watson compiled a standout day at the dish as well, going 1-for-3 with an RBI. Freshman Jaycie Rostad also helped out, going 1-for-2 for Minot State with an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Beavers got on the scoreboard first, starting in the second inning. Minot State got an RBI single from Rostad, scoring sophomore Maggie Mercer from third base.
The Cougars then rallied to score two runs and take a 2-1 lead before the Beavers got back on the board in the sixth. Minot State scored once on an RBI single off the bat of Watson, which brought the score level at 2-2. Sioux Falls then scored five times over the remaining one inning to break the tie and grab the 7-2 win.
GAME NOTES
» Minot State's highest-scoring inning was the sixth when it pushed one run across.
» Mercer stole two bases in Sunday's game.
» The Beavers stole six bases as a team.
» Minot State went 3-for-9 (.333) with runners in scoring position.
» Minot State pitchers faced 35 Sioux Falls hitters in the game, allowing 10 ground balls and three fly balls while striking out three.
» Odlum led the Beavers at the plate, going 2-for-4.
» Sioux Falls was led offensively by freshman Shayla Running, who went 3-for-4 with three RBIs.
» Freshman Hanna Cress led the Cougars pitching staff, throwing seven innings of two-run ball.
UP NEXT
Next up for Minot State is a matchup on Saturday, May 1 at 12 p.m. against Winona State University for a doubleheader. The Beavers then host Upper Iowa on Sunday, May 2 at 12 p.m. for another doubleheader. On Saturday, the Beavers will honor senior outfielder Isis Cabral as part of her senior day which is scheduled to be played at the South Hill Softball Complex in Minot, N.D.
