The Dordt Defender softball team ran its record to 4-0 on the opening weekend of the season with a pair of one-run wins against Sioux Falls and Culver-Stockton. Dordt prevailed 4-3 over Sioux Falls and then took a 2-1, eight-inning decision from Culver Stockton in the last game of the day.

Dordt vs Sioux Falls Box Score (PDF)
Dordt vs Culver-Stockton Box Score (PDF)

VS SIOUX FALLS 

A run in the fifth inning proved to be the winning run in Dordt's win over Sioux Falls as the Defenders enjoyed a 13-5 hits advantage but struggled with the timely hit.

Dordt was the visitor in the game and started the scoring with a Kacie Karsak double that got Brooke Rule across for a 1-0 advantage. Sioux Falls answered with two in the first and the 2-1 lead held until the top of the fourth when Chloe Kreuz aided her own cause with a triple that score Brooklynn Cox and Rule. 

Sioux Falls again answered with an unearned run in the home half of the inning to tie the game. Rule again was involved in the scoring as her single scored pinch runner Makiah De Jager who was running for Addison Stephenson.  

Sioux Falls never threatened in the last three innings as Kreuz retired nine in a row to close the game.

THE NUMBERS
Dordt | 4r | 13h | 1e | 13lob
Sioux Falls | 3r | 5h | 0e | 5lob

Dordt Leaders
Brooke Rule | 4-4 | 1rbi | 1bb  | 2r
Chloe Kreuz | 3-4 | 1-3b | 2rbi | 7ip | 5h  | 2er | 5k
Kacie Karsak | 2-3 | 1-2b | 1rbi

VS CULVER STOCKTON
A hit batter with the bases loaded ended a tense battle with Dordt defeating Culver Stockton 2-1 in eight innings Saturday night.

Dordt got its run on a Brooke Rule single that score Peyton Whipple.  The visitors came back immediately with a run scoring single and the 1-1 tie stood through regulation. Dordt had runners on second twice over the final five innings and third in another frame.

Utilizing the international tiebreaker in the eighth inning Culver Stockton got a runner on third with a sacrifice bunt and tried to take the lead on a flyout to centerfield but the runner was thrown out at home.
Dordt bunted the runner over in their half of the inning but Chloe Kreuz beat out the throw for a single and a walked followed. With the bases loaded Ashtyn Grissom was hit by a pitch to force in the winning run.

Dordt is 4-0 and will play Wayne State on Wednesday, February 5 before playing three more games next weekend.

THE NUMBERS
Culver Stockton | 1r | 4h | 0e | 4lob
Dordt | 2r | 7h | 0e | 7lob

Dordt Leaders
Brooke Rule | 3-4 | 1rbi
Chloe Kreuz | 2-4
Peyton Whipple | 1-2b
Annabelle Hensley | 1-2b
Bailey Sample | 8ip | 1er |1bb | 4h | 5k
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