Sterling dominates Dakota State in double header at home
In a dominant performance, the Sterling College Lady Warrior softball team defeated Dakota State University Trojans in both games of a double header on Friday, Feb. 28. Sterling was able to end both games in five innings with a 17-0 win in the first game and a 10-2 win in the second.
Game 1
The Lady Warriors set the pace early with two runs in the first innings followed by 12 runs in the second inning. Mariah Cunningham got Sterling started with a triple in the second inning that batted in two runs followed by a theft of home plate that gave Sterling the 5-0 lead.
They continued to score at will in the fourth adding three more runs in the third inning to put the game well out of reach for Dakota State.
Both Cunningham and Mallory Siedel led the Lady Warriors with three RBIs followed by Mya' Dunn with two. Sterling ran wild on the base baths stealing a combined 12 bases in the four innings being led by Bryley Westfahl who had three.
Sterling also dominated from the mound, with MacKenzie Viehland and Maria Casillas combining for a no hitter. Viehland got it started off for the Warriors facing 10 batters, throwing 26 strikes on 37 pitches and recording two strikeouts with no walks through three and one-third innings. Casillas was just as strong, facing five batters, throwing 15 strikes on 24 pitches, recording four strikeouts and walking none through one and two-third innings.
Game 2
Sterling continued to roll in the second game, scoring five runs in the first innings and four runs in the fourth to put the game well out of reach. However, the Trojans were able to get four hits in the game which they converted into two runs in the fifth inning.
Kelly Hirlas led the Lady Warriors in RBIs with three followed by Cunningham and Aiyana Campos who both recorded two.
Westfahl led Sterling in runs with three followed by Cunningham, Hirlas, and Desiree Perales who each had two on the game.
The pitching continued to be strong with Allie Olivarria facing 17 batters, throwing 33 strikes on 46 pitches striking out two batters, walking none, while only surrendering two hits through four and one-third innings. Madison Hedgecock came in as reliever to finish out the final two-thirds of the fifth inning. She gave up two hits that turned into two runs, facing six batters throwing six strikes on 13 pitches.
Sterling will be back in action on Saturday, March 1 at the Friends University Invitational where they will face Mayville State University and Mid-America Nazarene University.
Be sure to check for news and updates on Sterling Warrior Athletics on Facebook (/SCWarriors), Twitter (@SterlingCSports), and Instagram (sterlingcsports), as well as the hashtag #swordsup. Watch all of the Warriors' live home events on the Sterling College Sports Network.