Softball Clinches GPAC Postseason Bid with Sweep of BCU

Softball traveled to Sioux City, Iowa, to take on Briar Cliff on GPAC action. The Tigers posted two big wins to clinch a GPAC postseason berth. Doane won 11-7 in game one and 8-3 in game two, solidifying a tie-break over BCU in the event the teams are tied in any way at the end of the regular season.

In game one, Doane pushed three runs across the board in the top of the first inning. Anna Prauner singled to drive in the team's first run. The next two runs scored on a dropped fly ball with Faith Molina receiving an RBI for a sacrifice fly. Briar Cliff came back with two runs in the bottom of the inning, leaving the Tigers up 3-2.

Doane scored four runs in the second inning to extend their lead to 7-2. Grace Dowding scored on an error for the first run of the inning. Katelyn Hays scored on a wild pitch for the next run. Molina picked up an RBI double to plate Prauner. Sarah Shevenell singled to score Molina for the final run of the inning. 

In the bottom of the second, Briar Cliff scored two runs. They added three runs in the third inning to tie the game, 7-all.

The Tigers went back in front in the fourth inning on a sacrifice fly by Marisa Marquez. Doane added three runs in the fifth inning. Jeryn Allen singled to plate a run and Hays hit a two-run home run for the final scoring in the game.

Molina was 3-for-3 at the plate with a run scored and two driven in. Hays was 2-for-3 with four runs scored and two driven in. Dowding went 2-for-5 with three runs scored and Prauner was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and one RBI. The Tigers finished with 11 hits in the game.

Abbi Arroyo started for the Tigers and went 2.0-plus innings, allowing six runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks while striking out three. Molina entered the game in the third inning and threw the final 5.0 innings, allowing one run on six hits while striking out nine.

Doane took the early lead in game two with an RBI-single from Jadyn Hunt in the top of the second inning. The Chargers came back with three runs in the bottom of the second to take a 3-1 lead.

The Tigers tied the game in the fifth inning with a two-out rally. Dowding and Allen both reached with singles and Hays followed with a two-run double. In the seventh inning, Prauner doubled to put the Tigers in the lead with two outs as she drove in Payton Cooley. Hays scored on the play on an error by BCU. Molina sealed the win for the Tigers with a three-run home run to plate Prauner and Makinley Thomas. 

Shevenell threw a complete game for Doane. She threw 7.0 innings, allowing three runs on nine hits and four walks while striking out four.

Doane had eight hits in the game. Molina was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and three RBI. Hays added two RBI.

Next up for the Tigers will be the regular season finale on Saturday, April 27. Doane will host Mount Marty for Senior Day. First pitch is scheduled for 1 PM.