DWU softball extends win streak to 14 games with Mount Marty sweep

Apr. 17—MITCHELL — The Dakota Wesleyan University softball team kept its momentum rolling on Thursday evening, stretching its winning streak to 14 games with a doubleheader sweep against Mount Marty at McWhirter Field.

The Tigers took Game 1 by a 7-4 margin before closing out the night with a 4-2 victory, improving to 32-11 overall and 15-1 in Great Plains Athletic Conference play.

With the sweep, DWU remained a perfect 8-0 at home and also solidified its top spot in the GPAC standings with six games remaining in the regular season.

It started early for DWU in Game 1, as Liliana Arreola drove in Alessandra Ciurca with a single to right field before Avery Perkins delivered a three-run home run in the bottom of the first inning to give the Tigers a 4-0 advantage. Dakota Wesleyan maintained control throughout, adding three more runs in the sixth inning, highlighted by a two-run home run from Jaycee Tebay that pushed the lead to 7-1.

Mount Marty threatened late, plating three runs in the top of the seventh, but DWU held firm to secure the win. Alison Ernsberger earned the victory in the circle, moving to 13-6 on the season. She struck out nine batters over 6 1/3 innings pitched, allowing two earned runs on seven hits with one walk. Keirstyn Krcil came in for relief to lock down the save. Offensively, Perkins led the way with three RBIs, while Jordyn Blogg turned in a strong 2-for-3 performance at the plate.

Game 2 presented a tighter contest, but the Tigers once again found timely offense. DWU broke through with a run in the third inning, then created separation in the fourth when Perkins launched her second home run of the day, this time a two-run shot that scored Ashlen Johnson and made it 3-0.

The Tigers added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning thanks to Blogg's solo home run, giving them just enough cushion to fend off the Lancers, who managed two runs in the second game. Arreola stayed productive at the plate, going 2-for-3 with an RBI, while Macy Moore, Johnson, and Deanna Davidson each contributed a hit for DWU.

Dakota Wesleyan's Mandalyn Nachtigall delivered another strong outing in the circle, improving to 13-2 on the year. She struck out eight batters across her 5 1/3 innings pitched, allowing two earned runs on eight hits while throwing 71 strikes out of 100 pitches. Ernsberger returned in relief to close things out, recording three strikeouts over 1 2/3 innings to earn the save.

The Tigers will now turn their attention to a pivotal matchup on Sunday, April 19, when they host Midland for Senior Day in their final regular-season home doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. at McWhirter Field, with Midland entering the weekend behind DWU in the conference race at 30-10 overall and 12-2 in GPAC play.