[Softball] Softball Clinches Postseason Berth

Doane Softball clinched a postseason berth on Tuesday evening in Hastings with a game one victory over the Broncos, 6-1. The home squad edged past the Tigers in game two, 3-2. Doane has one conference doubleheader remaining with seeding for the tournament at stake.

Game One
The Tigers jumped out early with a two-run 1st inning and never looked back. Meanwhile, Doane received strong pitching that limited Hastings to one unearned run in the game.

Kailyn Wiseman (JR/Sutton, Neb.) opened the action by reaching on an error. She moved to second base on a sacrifice bunt and stole third. Wiseman then came in to score on a RBI-groundout by Angelina Esqueda (FR/Las Vegas, Nev.) for a 1-0 lead. Shelby Downard (SO/Marysville, Kan.) followed with a solo home run, her 11th of the season.

Wiseman started another run-scoring inning in the 3rd with a leadoff single. She stole her second base of the game and 15th of the season to get into scoring position. Kayla Miller (FR/Yuciapa, Cali.) would drive her in with a ground ball, fielder's choice. Hastings scored their only run in the game in the bottom of the 3rd as a Doane error led to a RBI-double.

The final runs of the game came in the 6th inning as Doane scored three. Haley Kennedy (JR/Lincoln, Neb.) had a RBI-single to plate Alicia Vint (SO/Onalaska, Wash.) to start the scoring. Wiseman followed with a sacrifice fly to drive in Blaire Edeal (JR/Lexington, Neb.) and Jade Hill (FR/San Diego, Calif.) doubled to drive in Kennedy for a 6-1 lead.

In the bottom of the 6th inning, the Broncos put their first three batters on base as they threatened to get back into the game. Tiger starter Josie Schnakenberg (JR/Wahoo, Neb.) wasn't going to let that happen as she followed with three straight strikeouts to end the inning.

Schnakenberg threw 6.0 innings, allowing one unearned run on four hits and two walks while striking out 12 batters. It was the third time this season she had double-digits in strikeouts. Ashley Jacobson (JR/Omaha, Neb.) threw the final inning, allowing one hit and a walk.

Seven players finished with a hit apiece for Doane. Wiseman led the team with two runs scored and drove in one. Six players had RBIs in the game.

Game Two
Doane was unable to hold on to the lead in nightcap and the Broncos were able to pick up a walkoff win on a Tiger error with two outs in the 7th inning.

Hastings struck first, as a leadoff walk came around to score on a two-out double in the 3rd inning. Doane responded quickly by plating two runs in the 4th to take the lead. Doane was able to load the bases following a walk, infield single and an error. With two outs, Wiseman delivered a single to plate Kierney Skiles (FR/Gretna, Neb.) and Vint.

The Broncos tied the game in the bottom of the 5th as a leadoff double came around to score following two groundouts. In the 7th inning, Doane put two base runners on with one out but was unable to come up with the go-ahead run. The Broncos were able to load the bases with a hit batter, a single, and a walk. An error with two outs would allow the winning run to score.

Shelby Downard took the loss in the circle, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and five walks with six strikeouts in 6.2 innings. 

Doane was held to five hits in the game, two from Wiseman.