MITCHELL, S.D. — Dakota Wesleyan Softball hosted the Briar Cliff Chargers at Dr. McWhirter Field for a GPAC doubleheader series.
The Tigers opened the two-game series with a dominant offensive showing, putting up four runs in the bottom of the first thanks to efficient outings from the top of the lineup, setting up Macy Moore to grab a two-RBI single, Avery Perkins driving in an RBI on a fielder's choice, and Ashlen Johnson earning the first of her three RBIs throughout game on on a double to left-center field, giving the Tigers an initial 4-0 lead. On the mound, reigning GPAC Pitcher of the Week Alison Ernsberger went to work to earn her 10th win in the circle this season, tallying 11 strikeouts through a full seven-inning appearance. Her no-earned-runs streak from the previous week would be snapped by BCU of an RBI double in the top of the fifth. However, the sophomore pitcher prevented any other runs from scoring with elite command in the strike zone. The Tigers would extend the initial lead in the bottom of the third inning as Johnson hit her fifth home run of the season past the center-field wall, and while the previously-mentioned earned run got BCU on the board, the six runs would be enough to earn Dakota Wesleyan the win, 6-1.
Game two would see elite defense from both teams as the early focus, with Mandalyn Nachtigall going a full seven innings on the mound and recording five strikeouts in total. The Chargers would be able to get the first runs on the board at the top of the fourth with an RBI-double before they would break the game open in the next frame, putting up three more runs to take a 4-0 lead on the Tigers. Dakota Wesleyan's offense would spring to life in response, however, and rattled off six runs in the bottom of the fifth to take its first lead of the contest, as Johnson would hit a double to right-center field to bring home Moore and kick off the scoring run. A home run from Lydia Yost would get her and Johnson across home plate, an RBI single from Deanna Davidson added to the lead, and Liliana Arreola would record an RBI single to bring the score to 5-4. The final run of the inning would be scored by the Tigers as Moore would reach first base on an error, allowing Davidson to cross home plate, bringing DWU's lead to 6-4 down the stretch. The final two innings would see both teams work for scoring opportunities, but the 6-4 scoreline would hold as Dakota Wesleyan claimed the game and series win, moving to 26-11 on the year and standing atop the GPAC with a 9-1 conference record.
DWU Softball will be back in action on the road at Waldorf on Wednesday, April 8th, starting at 2:00 PM. See the full 2026 schedule here.