The University of Sioux Falls softball team split today's double-header with Nebraska Wesleyan University at Sherman Park in Sioux Falls. USF (9-19 overall, 7-11 Great Plains Athletic Conference) defeated NWU 5-2 in the first game, but the Prairie Wolves took the second game 7-2. NWU (26-6 overall, 14-6 GPAC) is receiving a vote in the latest NAIA poll.

Game 1
A four run second inning by USF is what separated the Cougars from NWU in the first game. Two walks and a single loaded the bases with one on. Junior Baylee Washburn (Hornick, Iowa) reached first base safely on a late fielder's choice throw. All three runners advanced a position with senior Jamie Sorensen (Omaha, Neb.) scoring the first run of the game. Freshman Bailey Bouman (Pipestone, Minn.) then hit a single to centerfield that scored two more Cougars. Washburn scored the final run of the inning, making the score 4-0, on a ground out play.

USF added another run in the third inning, set up by a one out triple by junior Jenna Turner (Omaha, Neb.). Freshman Noelle Roden (Vadnais Heights, Minn.) recorded and RBI on the following play with a single that allowed Turner to earn USF a commanding 5-0 lead.

With the Prairie Wolves looking for some kind of offensive answer, NWU generated four hits that score two runs in the fifth inning.

USF halted the surge by NWU and did not allow a hit over the final two innings of the game, earning a 5-2 victory.

Bouman earned the win in the circle, allowing two runs on six hits with four strikeouts in a complete game pitched. Turner had two runs on two hits in two at-bats while making a team-leading six defensive outputs at right field. Brenna Maguire took the loss for NWU.


Game 2

USF recorded two errors in the first inning, aiding NWU's two hits that scored two runs in the first inning. The Prairie Wolves added two more runs on two hits in the second inning as USF got out of a jam that left three runners on base. A run in the fourth inning and two more runs in the fifth made the score a 7-0 NWU advantage.

Sophomore Janni Brylla (Oceanside, Calif.) came on as a relief pitcher in the fifth inning and hit a single in the sixth to get on base. Roden then recorded her second RBI of the night and first of the game with a one out double. Brylla's score broke up the shutout, making the score 7-1. A walk and another reaching on a passed ball on a strikeout loaded the bases. NWU then committed a throwing error to first base, allowing Roden to score from third bases, closing the gap to 7-2.

Turner connected for her second triple of the evening in the bottom of the seventh, but it wasn't enough as the Cougars fell 7-2.

Sorensen took the loss in the circle, allowing seven hits and six runs with two strikeouts in five innings pitched. NWU's Alysia Wittmaack struck out 10 in seven innings pitched.

Up Next
Tomorrow's double-header against Hastings College has been moved to Monday, April 29 due to forecasted heavy rain in the Sioux Falls region. The games will be at 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. at Sherman Park in Sioux Falls.