The Dordt University softball team claimed a share of the GPAC regular season title for the first time since 2001 and set a new program record for wins with its 37th victory of the season, defeating Briar Cliff 8-5 on Saturday in Sioux City, Iowa. Dordt improves to 37-10 overall and 18-4 in the GPAC. The game was halted due to rain and poor field conditions on Saturday, April 25 in the fifth inning in Sioux City and concluded on Monday, April 27 at the ASB Sports Complex in Sioux Center.
Box Score (PDF)
Dordt wasted no time taking control, plating four runs in the top of the first inning. Chloe Kreuz and Rylee Yager ignited the rally with singles and aggressive baserunning before Sumaya Edwards drew a bases-loaded walk to score the first run. Ashtyn Grissom delivered a three-run double to push the Defenders in front 4-0. Dordt added a run in the second on a sacrifice fly by Lauren Steenstra and extended the lead to 6-2 in the third when Taylor Schneider singled home Aubrey DeShaw.
The Defenders continued to build separation in the fourth inning with RBI hits by Edwards and Grissom, stretching the lead to 8-2. Briar Cliff chipped away late with three runs in the seventh, but Dordt turned to Rylee Yager to close the door and secure the victory.
Abigail Tweedy earned the win in relief, throwing six innings and striking out seven while working through traffic with six walks. Yager recorded the final three outs with a pair of strikeouts to preserve the victory.
Dordt opens post-season play in the GPAC Tournamenth on Wednesday, April 29 against Briar Cliff. Dordt will host one of two four-team double-elimination brackets on Wednesday and Thursday. The winner of the Dordt bracket and the winner of the Midland bracket will meet in a best of three series on Saturday, May 2 at the site of the highest seed remaining.
Team Stats
- Hits: Dordt 10, Briar Cliff 6
- Errors: Dordt 1, Briar Cliff 1
- Left on Base: Dordt 6, Briar Cliff 8
Dordt Leaders
- Ashtyn Grissom: 2-4, 2 2B, 4 RBI
- Sumaya Edwards: 1-3, 2 runs, 2 RBI, walk
- Aubrey DeShaw: 2-4, run scored
- Chloe Kreuz: 2-4, 2 runs
- Lauren Steenstra: 1-1, 2 runs, RBI, 2 walks
- Abigail Tweedy: 6.0 IP, 3 hits, 4 runs, 7 strikeouts (W)