Waldorf Drops Both Games on Day 2 of American Softball Classic

SIOUX CENTER, IA - The Warriors lost both games on Saturday in Sioux Center, IA. They took a 16-7 loss game one against Valley City State University and a 5-4 loss in game two to Dakota State University. Depsite a promising offensive performance for the Warriors, their defense struggled to keep the opposing offense at bay. 

Game one: Valley City got on the board early in the game scoring 5 runs in the first inning on 3 hits and 3 walks. They scored 3 more in the second brining the lead to 8-0. The Warriors cut the lead in half in the bottom in the second scoring 4 runs on 4 walks, a reach on error, a RBI ground ball from Bates, and a sac fly from R. Ridout. The third inning was scoreless for both teams. In the top of the fourth, Valley City scored 5 more runs extending the lead to 13-4. They scored via 3 hits and 3 walks. Waldorf scored three more runs in the bottom of the fourth to reduce the deficit to 6 runs. Mauldin and Eurich started the inning with two walks. Bates and R. Ridout, and Bierly would all single bringing in two runs. Junior Jenna Busch singled in order to bring in the 7th run. The Warriors would go scoreless the rest of the game despite Valley City putting 3 more runs on the board between the 6th and 7th innings. 

Bates went 1-3.

Savannah Lyford went 1-1 with a pinch hit at bat. 

Junior Makenzie Cope would throw the complete game with 135 pitches, although sophomore Jaycee Plath would take the loss. 

Game two: Game two versus Dakota State was a hard fought seven innings. The first inning was scoreless for both teams, but Dakota State took the lead in the bottom of the second on a single from A. Morrissey who would score after a stolen base and advancing on a throwing error from I. Bencivenga. They would score again in the bottom of the fourth on a solo shot from Q. Hartly. The Warriors would take the lead in the top of the fifth inning. Freshman Bates would start off with a single, followed by another from R. Ridout. Bierly would follow up with one of her own base knocks that would bring in Bates. Junior Hailey Michalik would have a huge full count walk to load the bases, followed by a walk from senior Dionne Lopez that would bring in the second run to tie the game. Freshman Avery Mauldin would reach on error and bring in two more runs to take the lead 4-2. Although, the lead would not last long as Dakota State would bring in 3 runs of their own in the bottom half of the fifth to take and finish with the lead of 5-4. 

Bates went 3-3 with a walk.

R. Ridout went 2-4.

Bierly went 3-4.

Sophia Asimakopoulos went 1-1 with a pinch hit single. 

Reagan Ridout threw all 6 innings with 1 walk and 3 strikeouts despite taking the loss.

The Warriors will be back in action February 20-21 in Branson, MO.