CRETE, Neb. — Dakota Wesleyan extended its winning streak to 12 games Saturday, sweeping Doane 3-1 and 8-0 to remain in first place in the Great Plains Athletic Conference.
The Tigers improved to 30-11 overall and 13-1 in GPAC play, holding a two-game lead over second-place Dordt.
Dakota Wesleyan used a balanced attack in the opener before breaking the nightcap open with a seven-run inning to complete the sweep.
In Game 1, the Tigers collected 11 hits and rode a complete-game effort from Alison Ernsberger to a 3-1 victory. Ernsberger (9-6) allowed four hits and one run while striking out seven without a walk.
Dakota Wesleyan took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Ashlen Johnson reached on an error that scored Alessandra Ciurca. Doane answered in the third on Jeryn Allen’s RBI double, but the Tigers regained the lead for good in the fourth.
Liliana Arreola delivered an RBI double to score Jordyn Blogg, and Elle Feser added another run-scoring double in the fifth to make it 3-1. Arreola and Macy Moore each had two hits for Dakota Wesleyan.
In Game 2, the Tigers needed just one big inning to secure the sweep.
Dakota Wesleyan erupted for seven runs in the second inning, highlighted by Jordyn Blogg’s grand slam and a three-run homer from Arreola. The Tigers scored eight runs on just four hits, taking advantage of walks and hit batters.
Blogg finished with four RBIs, while Arreola drove in three.
Mandalyn Nachtigall (11-2) tossed a five-hit shutout over five innings, striking out two and walking two.
Dakota Wesleyan will return home Friday to host Mount Marty for a conference doubleheader at McWhirter Field.