YANKTON-The Dakota Wesleyan University softball team split a Great Plains Athletic Conference doubleheader at Mount Mary on Saturday after a 16-day layoff.
The Tigers open its first GPAC slate with a win thanks to an early offensive barrage. DWU scored seven runs in the first two innings thanks to the big bat of Amber Budmark and held on to beat Mount Marty, 8-6, in seven innings. Mount Marty took the second game, 10-2, in six.
While the Tigers had not played since returning from its trip to Tucson, Arizona on April 7, the start of the game did not start that way. Budmark put DWU (6-16, 1-1 GPAC) on the board with a three-run home run in the top of the first and then Karly Severance followed up with a solo blast in the next at-bat to take a 4-0.
Budmark's heavy hitting continued in the second inning as she launched another three-run homer to give the Tigers a 7-1 lead and what appeared to be an easy win.
Mount Marty (12-12, 3-3) rallied, though, scored five unanswered runs to trim the lead to 7-6, but Andriana Sprakel hit a solo home run in the seventh to seal the win.
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Sierra Haage went the distance in the circle, allowing five earned runs on seven hits and seven walks, while striking out four batters.
DWU offense simmers in loss
After the offensive explosion in the first game, the DWU bats went silent in the second, as Mount Marty only surrendered three hits in the win.
The Lancers broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the fourth to take a 4-0 lead, sparked by a three-run double from Jaden Bly.
The Tigers came back in the bottom of the fifth as Stephanie Gabel and Haage drew walks with the bases loaded to score runs to trim the lead to 4-2.
DWU couldn't get any closer, though, as Mount Marty added two more runs in the final two innings to pick up the win.
Mitchell native Alyson VanderPol took the loss for DWU after going 3.2 innings, giving up five earned runs on five walks and two hits. Kyllie Ramirez surrendered four runs on three hits in relief.
Jill Orwig picked up the win for Mount Marty, giving up two runs on two hits and six walks in four innings.
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DWU returns to action on Wednesday with a doubleheader against Dordt at McWhirter Field.
