Vikings Split with Chargers
 

The Dana College softball team split a pair of games Friday against Briar Cliff University at Zimmerman Field.  Dana won the first game, 2-1, and lost the nightcap, 4-2.
 
In game one, Dana jumped out to a 1-0 in the bottom of the first.  Maggie Downs (SR, St. Charles, Iowa), Beth Richmond (JR, Chariton, Iowa), and Josie Barrow (SR, Woodward, Iowa) all singled to load the bases.  Following a strike out and a pop out, Paige Brune (JR, Dodge, Neb.) walked to force in the opening run.  Dana left the bases full as Whitney Newsham (FR, Ashland, Neb.) struck-out swinging.  
 
Briar Cliff strung together two hits to tie the game up in the top of the third inning.  The two teams remained tied until the bottom of the seventh.  Amy Supanchick (JR, Hazard, Neb.) got a pinch-hit single.  Lenae Kryszak (FR, Omaha, Neb.) pinch ran for Supanchick and was moved to second after a Lindy Bohlmann (JR, Denison, Iowa) walk. Kryszak moved to third as Bohlmann was forced out at second on a fielder’s choice.  She scored the winning run as the Charger first baseman booted a routine grounder hit by Barrow.  
 
Jones and Barrow each had two hits.  Barrow pitched the full seven innings to pick up the win.  She struck out five BC hitters and allowed one earned run.
 
Game two saw the Viking defense commit three errors.  Dana found itself behind in the first inning.  Briar Cliff pushed across a run on two hits and a Viking error. The Chargers added another run in the top of the fourth on two more hits and a Viking error.  
 
Dana finally got onto the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth.  Brianne Nutty (SO, Omaha, Neb.) singled to open the inning.  Megan Gerdes (SO, Treynor, Iowa), who was pinch running for Nutty, scored on a TJ Beeman (Grimes, Iowa) double.
 
Briar Cliff put the game out of reach in the top of the sixth with back-to-back home runs off Mindy Schoop (JR, Johnston, Iowa).  
 
Ashley Jess (SR, Monroe, Iowa) took the loss.  She pitched three and a third innings and gave up five hits and two runs.  Schoop pitched two innings in relief giving up two hits and two runs.  Cassie Lager (SR, Missouri Valley, IA) pitched the final inning and struck out three batters.  
 
Nutty went two for three in the second game and drove in a run.
 
Coach Roff’s Corner
 
“I really thought that we did a nice job during the first game by taking advantage of mistakes and coming up with some key hits when we needed them.  Camille Cruz (Briar Cliff pitcher) is very good and handled our bats well.  We felt fortunate to get some hits off her and come away with the win in the game one.  
 
“Game two was well played.  We made a mistake in the first inning to allow Briar Cliff to get on the board.  They hit the ball well and we just could not come up with the offense we needed early.  
 
“We did see some really positive things out of our team that indicates progress.  We may have come away with a split on Friday, but we played a very quality opponent and sometimes you just have to give credit to the other team.  Briar Cliff is good and I am sure they will knock down some key teams for us.  I have a lot of respect for Heather Hupke’s team and I think the conference is off to a good start for us.  We will keep working on getting better and hopefully peak at the right time.”
 
Game 1 vs. Briar Cliff:  http://www.dana.edu/softball/stats08/bcudan1.htm <http://www.dana.edu/softball/stats08/bcudan1.htm>
 
Game 2 vs. Briar Cliff:  http://www.dana.edu/softball/stats08/bcudan2.htm <http://www.dana.edu/softball/stats08/bcudan2.htm>
 
Dana is now 8-7 overall and 3-1 in the GPAC.  Dana will travel to Fremont, Nebraska on Tuesday to face off against rival Midland Lutheran.  The Warriors are 9-7 overall and 0-2 in conference play.  First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.
 
For more information, please contact:  Shad Beam, Sports Information at sbeam@dana.edu <mailto:sbeam@dana.edu> or 402-426-7389.