TOPEKA, KAN. – Led by a masterful two-hit shutout from Kaitlyn Van Der Zwaag, the University of Sioux Falls Softball Team (5-4) defeated Washburn, 2-0, on Friday (Feb. 28) at the Washburn Invitational. On the opening day, USF finished 1-1 after falling earlier to Emporia State, 13-6, in a slugfest.

In this matchup with Washburn, Van Der Zwaag controlled the game with dominating pitching. It was also USF's second win in two wins over the Itchabods. USF defeated WU 2-0 on Feb. 23 and now have evened the all-time series at 2-2.

Van Der Zwaag had her best outing of the season in moving to 2-1.  She allowed just two hits in throwing a complete game for the first time this year. She now has three career complete games. The shutout was the first of her career. Against WU, Van Der Zwaag had five strikeouts and gave up just one walk. R. Hamm took the loss for Washburn as she allowed three hits and a run in 3 1/3 innings with four strikeouts and three walks.

After neither team scored through the opening five innings, the Cougars broke through in the sixth frame. Sydney Nieveen opened with a single and moved to third on Frankie Mickelson's double. Then Nieveen scored on a wild pitch by Hamm.

After that Van Der Zwaag allowed just one base runner (USF error) in seven hitters and the Itchabods didn't put a runner in scoring position in those two frames.
USF will now play two more games on Saturday, Feb. 29 at Topeka, Kan. They begin things with a 9:00 am against Fort Hays State at the Hummer North Field. At 11 am the Cougars will face Nebraska-Kearney at the Hummer South field.