MITCHELL, S.D. – Dakota Wesleyan won the first game 4-0 behind Alison Ernsberger‘s shutout. Morningside took the second game 3-1, with Paige Schuster hitting a home run and Morgan Secora pitching a complete game. Dakota Wesleyan’s offense struggled, managing just two hits in the second game.
Game 1: Dakota Wesleyan 4, Morningside (Iowa) 0
Dakota Wesleyan earned a 4-0 win over Morningside, producing 11 hits while limiting Morningside to four. Dakota Wesleyan played clean defense without committing an error, while Morningside was charged with one. Adeline Fliege started in the circle for Morningside and pitched six innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on 11 hits, with two walks and five strikeouts.
Dakota Wesleyan opened the scoring with one run in the first inning and added another in the fourth. The Tigers extended their lead with two runs in the fifth. Sophie Wietzema provided the biggest swing of the game with a two-run home run, while Liliana Arreola drove in another run. Ashlen Johnson and Alessandra Ciurca each had two hits to help lead the offense. Dakota Wesleyan was also active on the bases, with McKinnely Mull and Macy Moore each stealing two bases.
Morningside’s offense was limited to singles from Jalyn Noelle, Josie Hernandez, Ellie Gengler, and Addyson Maxell. The Mustangs struck out seven times and did not draw a walk. Defensively, Jalyn Noelle recorded four putouts and two assists to lead Morningside in the field.
Alison Ernsberger pitched a complete-game shutout for Dakota Wesleyan, allowing four hits while striking out seven and walking none over seven innings. She faced 25 batters and threw 97 pitches, recording nine groundouts and five flyouts.
Game 2: Dakota Wesleyan 1, Morningside (Iowa) 3
Morningside defeated Dakota Wesleyan 3-1 behind a complete-game two-hitter from Morgan Secora. Morningside collected six hits while Dakota Wesleyan was held to two. The Mustangs committed two errors, while the Tigers once again played error-free defense. Secora allowed one unearned run, striking out seven and walking one over 86 pitches.
Morningside scored one run in the first inning on a solo home run by Paige Schuster, then added two more in the fourth. Schuster finished with two hits and one RBI, while Morgan Secora drove in another run. Ellie Gengler recorded a triple for the Mustangs. Jalyn Noelle and Jenna Skradski each added a single for Morningside.
Dakota Wesleyan’s runs came in the fifth inning. Jaycee Tebay scored after reaching on a single, and Dakota Wesleyan’s only other hit came from Olivia Smith. Tebay also stole a base. Keirstyn Krcil pitched a complete game for Dakota Wesleyan, allowing three earned runs on six hits, striking out six and walking one across 98 pitches. Krcil induced nine groundouts and five flyouts while facing 27 batters.
Quick Fact
This marks the first time the Tigers have qualified for the GPAC tournament since 2018, highlighting a historic season as they continue to break new records and chase down others.
Up Next
The Tigers will head to Orange City on Wednesday for the opening rounds of the GPAC tournament, where they will face Concordia (NE) at 2:00 p.m. During the regular season, Dakota Wesleyan split their games with Concordia at Dr. McWhirter Field.