Game Time...The Dordt University softball team returns to competition this weekend when they host Dakota Wesleyan for a conference doubleheader on Saturday, March 25. First pitch of game one is at 1pm and will be played at the American State Bank Sports Complex. 

The Defenders have been idle from competition since defeating both Aquinas (1-0) and Hannibal-LaGrange (9-0) on their final day of their spring break trip in Florida on March 13.  Dordt has won five straight, nine of its last 10, and is 19-5 this season; Dakota Wesleyan has lost four straight and is 0-2 in the GPAC, 5-16 overall. 

Follow the games live at the following links:

• Live Stats | 
• Watch | 

About the Rivalry...The Defenders lead the all-time series 49-21 against DWU.

• rivalry began in 1996
• the teams have played at least 2x per season every year since 1996 except 2011
• Dordt lost both games last year (1-0 and 5-4)
• the Defenders went 3-0 against DWU in 2021
• Dordt is 7-3 in its last 10 games against DWU
• most runs scored by Dordt vs DWU: 14 in 1997
• most runs given up by Dordt vs DWU: 18 in 2008
• Dordt has scored 10+ runs vs DWU - 8x
• Dordt has given up 10+ runs vs DWU - 4x
• Dordt has shutout DWU 14x
• Dordt has been shuout by DWU 3x

Dordt Notes:

• GPAC opener
• 19-5 record overall
  • currently second most wins among GPAC teams
  • 2-2 vs ranked teams
  • won five straight, nine of last 10
• Head Coach: Jeff Zomer (14th year)
  • program's all-time leader in wins (261 coming into the season)
• By the Numbers (GPAC rank):
  • batting average - .308 (4th)
  • 5.3 runs/game ; 7.8 hits/game
  • opponent batting average - .240
  • 2.0 runs / game; 6.1 hits / game
  • Team ERA - 1.54 (1st; 7th best in NAIA)
• Leaders (GPAC rank):
  • Ella Koster: .492 BA (3rd), 11 runs, 3 HR, 21 RBIs
  • Ivy Terpstra: .338 BA, 18 runs, 2 HR, 15 RBIs
    • hit safely in seven consecutive games
  • Aurora Tyson: .325 BA
  • Karli Olsen: .293 BA, 11 RBIs
  • Chandler Schemper: .288 BA, 25 runs (3rd), 21/22 SB (1st)
  • Abby Kraemer: 8-3, 0.93 ERA (1st), 75 IP, 80 K's
    • won five straight starts
    • 5-0 with 1 save in last seven games pitched
  • Hailey Wilken: 8-1, 1.88 ERA, 56 IP

Scouting Report:

Dakota Wesleyan Tigers: 0-2 (GPAC), 5-16 overall

• Head Coach: Tommy Downs (1st year)
  • took over the program from Derek Lien, who was the DWU head coach for two years
  • previously was the head coach at Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) for three years
  • is the 16th head coach in DWU history (program began in 1976)
• picked 12th in GPAC preseason poll
• 2022 record: 7-15 (10th in GPAC), 15-29 overall
  • return 6 starters, 14 players
  • two all-conference players return
• 2023 team stats (GPAC rank):
  • batting average - .274 (8th)
  • 5.3 runs/game 
  • opponent batting average - .378
  • opponent runs / game - 7.8
  • Team ERA - 7.03 (11th)
• 2023 schedule notes:
  • have lost four straight
  • 0-6 vs ranked teams
  • swept by #15 Northwestern last time out
• key returners (GPAC rank):
  • Mull McKinnely(all-conference) - .408 BA (9th), 26 runs (2nd), 8 HR (1st), 20 RBIs (9th), 11 SB (5th)
  • Alyssa Burke (all-conference) - .375 BA, 21 runs, 10 SB (7th)
  • Peyton Bagley - .359 BA, 5 HR (4th), 24 RBIs (3rd)
  • Meghan Daffern - 3-6, 7.19 ERA, 60.1 IP (9th)