[Softball] Softball Sweeps Briar Cliff in GPAC Opener

Doane Softball played their first home games of the season on Saturday as Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) play began for the Tigers. Briar Cliff was the opponent across the diamond for Doane with both teams entering with similar records. Doane took the opening game, 4-1, before walking off game two with a mercy rule victory, 11-3, in six innings.

Game One
Doane starting pitcher Josie Schnakenberg (JR/Wahoo, Neb.) was able to scatter seven hits over 7.0 innings of work to post the victory. She struck out six batters in picking up her eighth victory of the year.

Shelby Downard (SO/Marysville, Kan.) drove in the first run of 2021 on the home field with a two-out single in the 1st inning. Jade Hill (FR/San Diego, Calif.) and Kailyn Wiseman (JR/Sutton, Neb.) added to the lead in the 2nd inning with RBI-singles.

Briar Cliff was able to plate a run in the 6th inning with a one-out single. Doane was able to get the run back with a RBI-single by Haley Kennedy (JR/Lincoln, Neb.).

Doane finished the game with eight hits, two apiece from Hill and Wiseman.

Game Two
The Tigers broke a 2-all tie in the 4th inning and ran away with the victory by scoring nine runs in the final three innings of play. 

In the 1st inning, Doane struck with two runs as Angelina Esqueda (FR/Las Vegas, Nev.) had a RBI-single and Megan Elliott (FR/Simi Valley, Calif.) drove a run in on a fielder's choice. Briar Cliff tied the game in the 3rd inning with two runs on three hits, including two doubles.

Doane regained the lead in the 4th inning on a two-run single by Wiseman. The Tigers scored five runs in the 5th inning to put the game out of reach. Hill had a two-run double and scored on an error with Kayla Miller (FR/Yuciapa, Cali.) and Downard adding RBI-singles.

BCU scored their final run on a solo home run to open the 6th inning. Doane closed out the game with two runs in the bottom of the inning as Wiseman had a RBI-single and Kierney Skiles (FR/Gretna, Neb.) scored the final run on a wild pitch.

Downard went the distance in the circle for Doane, going 6.0 innings and allowing three runs on eight hits and a walk with four strikeouts.

Wiseman and Downard led the way at the plate with three hits apiece. Wiseman drove in three and scored twice. Esqueda, Blaire Edeal (JR/Lexington, Neb.), and Kennedy scored two runs apiece as well.