Bartow, Fla. – The University of Sioux Falls softball team split a pair of games at The Spring Games today, falling 6–5 to Wheeling before bouncing back with a 4–2 victory over (RV) Glenville State.

The Cougars moved to 9–9 overall after responding from a late-game setback in the opener with a strong performance against the nationally receiving-votes Pioneers behind a complete-game effort from Maddi Duncan.

Game One: Wheeling 6, Sioux Falls 5

Sioux Falls jumped out to an early lead but could not hold off a late rally by Wheeling in the opener.

The Cougars struck quickly in the first inning, taking advantage of a pair of defensive miscues to score four runs. Sandra Ribich brought home the first run after reaching on an error before Addison Heule followed with an RBI single to push the lead to 2–0. Another Wheeling mistake allowed Ribich to score, and Charlie Pryor later crossed the plate on a fielding error to give Sioux Falls a 4–0 advantage.

USF added another run in the second inning when Hanna Raethz singled to left field to score Sammie Radish, extending the lead to 5–0.

Wheeling began to chip away in the third inning when Brook Sanders launched a two-run home run to cut the deficit to 5–2. The Cardinals added another run in the fifth on a wild pitch before putting together a decisive rally in the sixth inning.

Wheeling scored three runs in the frame on a pair of RBI doubles and a run-scoring single to take a 6–5 lead. Sioux Falls was unable to respond in the seventh inning as the Cardinals completed the comeback.

Emma Kristof and Kyra Knudtson each recorded two hits for the Cougars, while Raethz and Heule drove in runs in the loss.

Game Two: Sioux Falls 4, (RV) Glenville State 2

The Cougars responded in game two with a strong pitching performance and timely hitting to knock off Glenville State.

Sioux Falls opened the scoring in the third inning when Emma Kristof delivered an RBI single to center field, bringing home Charlie Pryor to make it 1–0.

Glenville State answered in the fourth inning when Emma McLean doubled down the left-field line to drive in two runs, giving the Pioneers a 2–1 lead.

The Cougars regained control in the sixth inning with a three-run rally. Kyra Knudtson tied the game with an RBI single to right field before Sandra Ribich followed with another run-scoring single to put Sioux Falls ahead. Moments later, Ribich stole second and Brianna DeLorenzo crossed the plate on a throwing error to extend the lead to 4–2.

Maddi Duncan took care of the rest in the circle. The senior worked a complete game, allowing just three hits while striking out nine batters to secure the win over the receiving-votes Pioneers.

Kristof led the offense with a hit, RBI, and two walks, while Ribich and Knudtson each drove in key runs during the decisive sixth inning.

Key Cougars

• Maddi Duncan: Complete game, 7 IP, 3 H, 2 R (1 ER), 4 BB, 9 SO.

• Emma Kristof: Reached base three times with an RBI and two walks against Glenville State.

• Kyra Knudtson: Three hits on the day including the game-tying RBI in game two.

• Sandra Ribich: Key go-ahead RBI and aggressive baserunning that produced an insurance run.

• Hanna Raethz: RBI single in game one and scored the tying run in the sixth inning of game two.

Up Next

The Cougars continue play at The Spring Games tomorrow as they take on American International and #23 McKendree before closing out their trip on Sunday against Queens and Ashland.

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