It was a tough weekend for the DCB softball team as they dropped all six conference games in Montana.

NDSCS Series

The Ladyjacks started the weekend by taking on the top ranked team in the most recent NJCAA poll the North Dakota State College o Science Wildcats. The Wildcats scored six runs in the top of the first inning to take early control. DCB pushed one run across in the bottom half of the inning. Both teams were held scoreless in the second inning before each scoring a run in the third to make the score 7-2 after three innings. NDSCS scored three more runs in the top of the fourth and held DCB scoreless in the bottom half of the inning. The Wildcats kept the scoring going in the top of the fifth knocking in five more runs and holding DCB scoreless again allowing the game to end after five innings by a score o 15-2. Lexie Nelson had a double in the game and Lilianna Valdivia had an RBI. On the basepaths Madison Elliot picked up a stolen base. In the circle starting pitcher Brooklynn Hartman had three strikeouts while Hannah Funk had one in relief.

In game two the Wildcats continued to roll offensively scoring three runs in the bottom of the first. The lone run of the contest for the Ladyjacks came off a solo homerun from Brennah McLaughlin her first of the season. The top ranked Wildcats went on to win game two 19-1. Valdivia had two strikeouts in the circle.

MCC Series

DCB started out strong scoring two runs in the top of the first inning. The Pioneers would answer with three runs in the bottom of the inning to give them a 3-2 lead. The Ladyjacks would be unable to get another run across in the game and the Pioneers would win by a final score of 11-2. Brennah McLaughlin had an RBI and Madison Elliot had a stolen base. Starting pitcher Lilianna Valdivia had one strikeout and Hannah Funk had two in relief.

In game two MCC scored two runs in the first inning and three in the second to make the score 5-0 as the Ladyjacks came up in the bottom of the second. DCB got one run back in the bottom of the inning and held the Pioneers scoreless in the top of the third. The Ladyjacks made the score 5-2 with another run in the bottom of the third. The score remained the same as both teams were held scoreless in the fourth. MCC pulled away with a six run fifth inning to make the score 11-2. DCB was able to get two runs back in the bottom of the inning to make the score 11-4. After holding the Pioneers scoreless in the top of the sixth the Ladyjacks cut into the lead again with two more runs to make the score 11-6. A four run seventh allowed MCC a big enough cushion as DCB would get two more runs in the bottom of the seventh to make the final score 15-8. Lexie Nelson and Brennah McLaughlin each homered for the second time this season in the contest. Lilianna Valdivia led the team with 3 RBIs, Kindal DeGraeve had two and Nelson and McLaughlin each had one. Nelson picked up a stolen base. On the mound Funk had one strikeout in three innings of relief.

BSC Series

In game on the Mystics got on the board first putting up three runs in the top of the first inning. The Ladyjacks offense responded with two runs of their own in the bottom of the first. From their the BSC bats kept firing on all cylinders and the Ladyjacks could not keep up. Brennah McLaughlin kept her strong weekend going with three doubles in three at-bats. Lilianna Valdivia also doubled and drove in a run. Valdivia had three strikeouts from the circle.

Game two saw both teams have their offenses rolling. Both teams scored two runs apiece in the first inning. The Mystics tacked on six in the top of the second and DCB added three to make the score 8-5 in favor of the Mystics. After holding BSC scoreless in the top of the third the Ladyjacks were able to trim the lead to just two by getting another run across in the bottom of the inning making the score 8-6 after three innings. The Mystics pushed their lead back to three with a run in the top half of the fourth inning. DCB didn't go away though scoring two runs in the bottom half of the fourth to make it 9-8. A strong defensive half inning allowed DCB to hold BSC scoreless in the top of the fifth. In the bottom of the fifth the Ladyjacks were able to get a run in and tie the game at 9-9. Big six and seventh innings by the Mystics would prove to be to much for DCB as the Mystics would win by a final score of 18-10. Hannah Funk struckout two Mystic batters from the circle and helped her team offensively with a home run and 2 RBIs. Brennah McLaughlin drove in 4 runs to finish her strong weekend at the plate. Jasper Devloo, Lilianna Valdivia, and Kindal DeGraeve all had an RBI.

With the weekend results DCB drops to 1-11 overall and in the Mon-Dak. Next weekend the Ladyjacks will be back out on the road playing Bismarack State again next Friday in Miles City. Saturday they will take on Dawson in Glendive and Sunday the will square off against the Tetons in Williston. Stay tuned for ways to watch or follow along.