EMPORIA, KAN. – With a seventh inning rally and a strong outing in the circle from Hanna Cress, the University of Sioux Falls Softball Team (6-8) defeated Emporia State (10-8), 3-1, and earned a split of two games played on Sunday at the Trusler Sports Complex as part of the HyVee Classic.

On the day, USF had stellar pitching in both the 3-1 win over ESU and a 2-0 setback to Central Oklahoma. Cress (4-4) was 1-0 with a 1.00 earned run average as she threw a seven-hitter against ESU. Junior Kaitlyn Van Der Zwaag (2-3) lost to UCO but had a 2.33 earned run average and allowed just five hits and two runs. USF had complete games from both starters who combined for a 1.62 earned run average in 13 innings in the circle. They had a combined eight strikeouts and walked just one hitter.

At the plate, USF hit .321 today with 17 hits in 53 at bats. Leading the way was Shayla Running, who was 4-of-6 for a .667 batting average while Damaris Cuevas, Kennedy Thomas, and Mika Rodriguez finished 2-of-4 on the day.

USF's effort and resiliency showed throughout the six games played since Friday, said USF Head Coach Shannon Pivovar.

"This weekend taught us a lot about resiliency, trust and grit – and I am proud of our kids for the way they competed in all six games," said Pivovar. "Our pitchers spun it against some really good hitters and kept us in every game and our defense made some great plays to give us a chance to win. We strung together some timely hits to close the weekend and come home with some momentum going into the conference said," added Pivovar, whose team will host Southwest Minnesota State at Sherman Park on March 30 at 1 and 3 pm.

WEEKEND BREAKDOWN – In a review of the six games, USF finished 3-3 and hit .26, led by freshman Damaris Cuevas who hit .667 with 10 hits in 15 at bats, two doubles, a team-high five RBI and 12 total bases plus a .722 OBP. Freshman infielder Shayla Running hit .571 with four hits in seven at bats and .625 OBP while Kaitlyn Van Der Zwaag batted. 316 with six hits in 19 at bats. On the mound, USF had a 3.50 earned run average with Van Der Zwaag at 3.29 with a 1-1 record, two complete games and nine strikeouts in 17 innings. Cress finished 2-2 with a 3.50 earned run average, four appearances, two complete games and 14 strikeouts in 20 innings. In the 40 total innings, including three innings from Shayla Shaver, USF had just three walks and hit just one batter.

G1 – Central Oklahoma 2 USF 0
Despite a solid start in the circle from Kaitlyn Van Der Zwaag, USF dropped a 2-0 decision to Central Oklahoma. Van Der Zwaag threw a complete game and allowed five hits and two runs with four strikeouts and walked one hitter in throwing 68 pitches across six innings.

Freshman infielder Shayla Running led USF's offense with two hits in three at bats. Freshman Damaris Cuevas had a hit and two walks. Kylan Straight, Kennedy Thomas and Mika Rodriguez all had base hits for USF.

Corinna Rivas (7-2) threw a complete game and with her 97 pitches allowed six hits and two walks with two strikeouts for UCO.

USF had a chance in the seventh inning as Rodriquez and Straight had singles but with one out, the game ended on a line drive double play.

UCO scored in the first and sixth inning on RBI singles by Allie Eichler.

G2 – USF 3 Emporia State 1
With a clutch two-run single from Mika Rodriguez to key a seventh inning rally plus a stellar effort in the circle from Hanna Cress (4-4), USF earned a 3-1 win over Emporia State for its sixth win in 14 decisions this season.

In tossing a complete game, Cress earned her fourth win of the season as she scattered seven hits and allowed just a run with four strikeouts and did not walk a hitter in seven innings.

USF's offense was led by Kaitlyn Van Der Zwaag with two hits while Shayla Running had two hits and a run scored. It was the second straight two hit game for Running. Rodriguez added a hit and two RBI while Cassie Van Beek had a hit and run scored. Kylie Madrid, Lexie Swift and Kylan Straight all contributed base knocks for USF which had 11 hits on the day, including a pinch-hit RBI single by sophomore Kennedy Thomas.

ESU scored a single run in the second inning when Kerrigan Dixon had a base hit and scored on a wild pitch with two outs.  

After a couple of close calls to score runs during the game, USF rallied in the seventh inning. Cuevas opened the inning with a base hit and Rachel Klassen pinch ran for her. Van Beek followed with a bunt single and Running's hit loaded the bases to set the stage for a two-run single by Rodriguez which provided the go-ahead runs for USF.  After Madrid had an infield single to load the bases, Thomas singled to score Running for a 3-1 lead.