DWU softball scores critical win over No. 24 Midland, stays in first place in GPAC

Apr. 19—MITCHELL — Dakota Wesleyan University softball picked up a critical doubleheader split on Sunday against No. 24-ranked Midland, ending a 17-game losing streak to the GPAC power Warriors and staying in first place in the conference standings with four games to go.

The Tigers won the first game of a doubleheader 4-2 on Sunday before Midland claimed Game 2 by a 7-0 score to earn a split on DWU's Senior Day at McWhirter Field.

DWU's 15 game-win streak and perfect 9-0 run in home games came to an end with the Game 2 loss to the Warriors. But Sunday's effort keeps DWU in the GPAC lead in the standings at 16-2, holding a two-game lead on all three other GPAC contenders — Morningside (13-3), Midland (13-3) and Dordt (14-4). Morningside and Midland still have six games to play in the final week of GPAC play, while Dordt and DWU each have four games left.

In Game 1, Midland led 2-1 through 4 1/2 innings before the Tigers' Alessandra Ciurca had a triple and Elle Feser followed behind with a pinch-hit RBI double to tie the game at 2-all. In the sixth, Jordyn Blogg had a two-out RBI single to right field to score Dusti Draper and give DWU the lead. Moments later, DWU's Jaycee Tebay scored from third base when the Tigers pulled off a double steal to make it 4-2.

Tiger standout pitcher Alison Ernsberger picked up her 14th win of the season in the circle, allowing five hits and two runs, while striking out five Midland batters on 107 pitches. Midland's Campbell Petrick threw six innings and took the loss, allowing seven hits, four runs and striking out four. Ciurca and Avery Perkins each had two hits, with Perkins adding an RBI, while Macy Moore had a double for DWU.

It was DWU's first win over Midland since April 10, 2016. Midland, which has qualified for the NAIA national softball tournament for seven straight seasons and made the 10-team NAIA softball World Series last season, has an .827 winning percentage in conference play the last five seasons entering 2026.

Sunday was DWU's second win this season over an NAIA top-25 team at the time, as DWU defeated No. 23 Northwestern on March 18 as well.

The Warriors (31-11, 13-3 GPAC) used the deep ball in the second game to earn the win over DWU. Isabelle Pagan had a two-run home run in the top of the first to give Midland a 2-0 lead and she added a three-run home run in the fifth inning, plus an RBI double in the seventh inning.

That was more than enough run support for Midland's Mackenzie Groninga, who yielded only one hit to the Tigers and struck out 15 DWU batters without allowing a run. DWU got the leadoff runner on three times but was 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position in the game. Ashlen Johnson had the only hit for DWU in the fourth inning.

DWU committed four errors on defense. Mandalyn Nachtigall was the losing pitcher of record in 4 2/3 innings of work, allowing six hits, five runs and striking out three. Ivy Woolwine and Keirstyn Krcil also pitched in relief for the Tigers.