Aberdeen, South Dakota — The Dordt softball team went 1-1 for the second day in a row, dropping their first Saturday game to Morningside 6-0, and topping Dakota Wesleyan 3-2
Dordt played Morningside in a neutral site non-conference game on Saturday, as the Mustangs won 6-0 over the Defenders.
Morningside got out to a fast start as Ellie Cropley hit a solo home run to center to give the Mustangs a 1-0 lead. Later in the inning, Morningside had the bases loaded, but Dordt’s Becky Pedersen was able to pitch out of the situation, forcing a ground out.
The next run came in the 3rd, as Sydney Petersen drove in a run on a double to center field. Morningside then took a 3-0 lead into the 5th inning.
Dordt came up with a couple of hits in the 6th inning, working to cut into the deficit. Kayla Zevenbergen opened the inning with a double and Kenzie Cunard singled, but Morningside kept Dordt from capitalizing on their scoring opportunity.
The Mustangs then scored three runs on four hits in the bottom of the 6th, with runs from Andi Hays, Ellie Cropley, and a home run by Breanna Tjebben.
Kayla Zevenbergen and Chandler Schemper each doubled for the Defenders. Becky Pedersen pitched four innings, striking out two Morningside hitters.
Morningside gave up only four hits in the game
The Defenders finished the opening weekend of their season with a 3-3 record following a win vs. Dakota Wesleyan on Saturday.
Dakota Wesleyan got on the scoreboard first with a double from Alyssa Garcia that brought in Stephanie Gabel in the 1st inning. Dordt answered with two runs in the bottom half of the inning, as Rachel Evavold and Emma Veenstra both doubled to score Dordt runners, giving the Defenders a 2-1 lead after the first inning.
The next two innings went scoreless before DWU tied the game, using a stolen base followed by an extra-base hit that Destinee Nelson used to advance across home plate.
With the game tied at 2 in the bottom of the 5th, Dordt’s Emma Veenstra earned her second RBI of the game, a double to score Jessica Oules. Dordt had three hits in the inning.
Dordt kept DWU away from the base paths for the final two innings to pick up a 3-2 victory.
Abby Kraemer had 11 strikeouts and gave up 1 run in 5 1/3 innings pitched. Kenzie Cunard and Emma Veenstra each had 2 hits, and Emma Veenstra had 2 RBI for the Defenders
Next, Dordt will play again on Saturday, March 6 in a doubleheader vs. Spring Arbor and Calumet. The Defenders will continue their schedule in Kissimmee, Florida.
