Sports

Ladyjacks smash Mystics in tripleheader

By Tyler Ohmann

04/10/2012

The Dakota College at Bottineau softball team enjoyed a very successful afternoon in a tripleheader sweep of Bismarck State College in Bismarck last Friday.

DCB out scored the Mystics 53-6 in the tripleheader in three commanding five-inning wins.

“Overall this was a great three game series for us,” stated Jacks Head Coach Wayne Johnson. “I really thought we played sharply, both defensively and offensively. We hope to continue that as more conference action continues.”

The Ladyjacks began the rampage with a 15-0 five-inning shutout in game one on Friday.

Amanda Schmidt had a sensational one-hit performance on the mound for DCB as she picked up the win. She struck out five and surrendered no walks.
Sophomore Jess Mehling was 4-for-5 with five runs batted in (RBI) and hit the first of two home runs on the day.

“I thought we played a very solid all around ballgame,” Johnson stated. “Our pitching was great and we were sharp defensively. Our 16 hits are the most we have had in a game so it certainly was a complete game.”

Also solid for the Ladyjacks was freshman AliceAnn Sloan, who went 4-for-4 with three runs and two RBI.
Game two of the triple header went just as well for the Ladyjacks as they scored 11 times in the opening inning enroute to a 23-2 win.

“The big first inning made for a comfortable game,” Johnson stated. ‘We were very patient at the plate, drawing 14 walks while still getting some good swings at the plate.”

Mehling again came up big at the plate as she hit her second home run of the afternoon and was 2-for-3 with three RBI. Sophomore Maria Espindola was also spectacular at the dish as she went 2-for-3 with four RBI and three runs scored.

Sophomore huler Jillian Hole received the win after a zero earned run performance. She allowed only one hit.

Johnson was impressed with both Hole and Schmidt’s performances on the mound.

“I have been really impressed by our pitching all year and this was another good outing,” Johnson stated. “I am most pleased about the fact that Jillian and Amanda are not walking batters and making them hit their way on.”

The Ladyjacks did not pitch any walks the entire three-game set.

In the final game Hole and Schmidt combined to win the Ladyjacks third straight in a 15-3 romp of the Mystics.

Hole pitched the first four innings, allowing only four hits and two runs, while striking out five.

DCB again exploded on offense as Sherry Chan had two RBI and Espindola and Schmidt each had a pair of hits in the win.

“This was another solid game for us however we seemed to be a bit tired with the three games,” Johnson stated. “If we can continue to do this and make plays in the field we will have a very successful season. Our defense, particularly in the infield, may have played our best in our four seasons of existence.”

Mehling, who was sixth in all of the NJCAA Division III softball with a more than .600 batting average entering the day, went 6-for-11 with two home runs. Sloan went 7-for-11.

DCB was supposed to play another triple header on Saturday against the Mystics, but the games were cancelled.

The Ladyjacks are next scheduled to compete in a doubleheader at 1 p.m. next Saturday in Minot against the Minot State Beavers JV.

The Ladyjacks improved to 5-4 overall on the season following the trio of wins.