SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – USF Softball (21-23, 9-13 NSIC) wrapped up their Strikeout Cancer Series on this afternoon, dropping a hard-fought doubleheader to Minnesota Duluth (31-15, 13-7 NSIC) at the Sanford Diamonds. Sioux Falls fell 18-9 in Game One despite a furious rally and came up short 13-5 in Game Two, despite a strong showing at the plate.
GAME ONE: MINNESOTA DULUTH 18, SIOUX FALLS 9
In a wild, high-scoring affair, USF stormed back from an early 9-1 deficit with a five-run fourth inning and nine total hits, but the Bulldogs pulled away late with a seven-run seventh.
Key Performers:
- Savanna Isaacson: 3-for-4, double, RBI
- Taryn Wagner: 1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI, run scored
- Hanna Raethz: 2-for-3, RBI, run scored
- Hannah Strickland: 3.0 IP, 6 R, 5 K
- Gracie Johnson(L, 0-3): 4.0 IP, 12 R, 2 K
USF scored five runs in the fourth thanks to three Bulldog errors, a two-run homer from Wagner, and aggressive baserunning. After Duluth added two in the sixth, the Cougars struck again in the seventh on an RBI double by Isaacson and a sac bunt from Raethz, but the Bulldogs’ 16-hit day proved too much to overcome.
GAME TWO: MINNESOTA DULUTH 13, SIOUX FALLS 5
USF kept battling in Game Two, getting within four runs midway through, but UMD continued to add on with two-out hitting to complete the sweep.
Key Performers:
- Jaeleigh Darnell: 2-for-3, HR, RBI, run scored
- Taryn Wagner: 1-for-4, 2 RBI
- Kyra Knudtson: 2-for-4, RBI, stolen base
- Alannah Naumann: 2-for-2, 2 runs scored, walk
- Lauryn Foudree(L, 6-8): 5.0 IP, 14 H, 10 ER, 3 K
- Hannah Strickland: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 3 K
Darnell’s solo shot in the second put USF on the board before the Cougars added two more in the third with RBI singles from Wagner and Knudtson. Naumann and Heule sparked a mini rally in the sixth with back-to-back walks, and Jochimsen delivered an RBI single to cap off the Cougar scoring…