[Softball] Softball Splits Following 10-Inning Victory

Doane Softball took to the field for a late morning showdown in Sioux Center, Iowa, as the Tigers took on Dordt. The Defenders rallied in the 6th inning of game one to take a 9-5 win over Doane, while it was the Tigers who rallied in game two, scoring the last five runs to win 5-3 in 10 innings.

Game One
Both teams scored three runs in the 1st inning but it was a six-run 6th that was the difference for the Defenders in the opener.

The Tigers strung together three consecutive hits with one out in the 1st to score their three runs. Kailyn Wiseman (JR/Sutton, Neb.) singled and scored on a double by Angelina Esqueda (FR/Las Vegas, Nev.). Shelby Downard (SO/Marysville, Kan.) followed with a two-run home run for the 3-0 lead. Dordt came back with a two-out rally with a single, a walk, and a three-run home run.

Doane regained the lead in the 5th inning as Downard singled. Sarah Theiler (FR/Arlington, Neb.) pinch ran and scored on a double by Megan Elliott (FR/Simi Valley, Calif.) to go in front, 4-3. The Tigers added a run in the 6th as Esqueda hit a sacrifice fly to plate Haley Kennedy (JR/Lincoln, Neb.).

The first six batters in the bottom of the 6th reached for Dordt on three walks and three hits as the Defenders took the lead. An error by the Tigers also led to a run in the inning.

The Tigers finished the game out-hitting the Defenders, 11-6. Wiseman was 3-for-4 with a run scored and Esqueda was 2-for-3 with a run score and two driven in. Downard went 2-for-4 with a run and two RBIs and Elliott was 2-for-4 with a RBI.

Schnakenberg took the loss, allowing seven runs in 5.0-plus innings of work. She allowed four hits and three walks while striking out seven. Cecily Kaluza (JR/Vallejo, Calif.) allowed two runs (one earned) in 0.2 innings and Ashley Jacobson (JR/Omaha, Neb.) picked up the final out of the 6th inning.

Game Two
Dordt jumped on the Tigers with three runs in the 1st only to see Doane rally to tie the game and eventually win in extra innings.

An error would eventually lead to three unearned runs for the Defenders in the first inning, scoring their runs on three hits. A two-out single plated two runs for a 3-0 lead.

Doane was held scoreless through five innings but in the 6th, it was the Tigers' turn to have a big inning. Downard drove in the first run for the team with a RBI-single and Jade Hill (FR/San Diego, Calif.) scored. Following a ground out that put two runners in scoring position, Alicia Vint (SO/Onalaska, Wash.) picked up a two-out single to score Esqueda and Downard to tie the game.

The two squads were scoreless until the 10th inning when the international tie-breaker rule came into play, placing a runner at second base to start the inning. Doane took the lead on a sacrifice fly by Esqueda and added to the advantage on a home run by Downard.

Downard led the way at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two runs scored and two driven in. Vint drove in two runs and Esqueda drove in one to account for the team's RBIs. Four players scored runs for the Tigers.

In the circle throwing all 10 innings for the Tigers was Downard. She allowed three unearned runs on seven hits and five walks to go with four strikeouts.