Royals Softball Season Comes to an End at Regional Tournament

The Lake Region State College Royals softball season came to an end this weekend after their second loss of the 3 games they played in the Region 13 tournament. The Royals opened with an 8-7 win over Bismarck State College in the Friday morning game. Scoring by both teams were primarily in a single inning. The Royals jumped to an 8 to 2 lead in the bottom of the 5^th only to see the Mystics from Bismarck State answer with 5 in the top of the 6^th to get to within 1 run. Mackenzie Sansom then settled in to shut them down in the 7^th to seal the win. For the game, Sansom gave up 10 hits, 6 earned runs, striking out 10 and walking only one.  Hanna Gary had four hits including a double to lead the Royals' hitting attack. Haunani Morton also doubled and Courtney Fines had 2 hits in the game.

Region Champion Dawson Community College of Glendive Montana held off the upset minded Royals in the Friday afternoon game 6-5.  Dawson scored five runs in the third inning but the Royals battled back scoring four runs in the fourth inning.  Alaina McKinnon pitched a strong game striking out 3, walking one as the Royals defense assisted making no errors.  The Royals managed eight hits but left eight runners on base.  They were led by Kiahna Chumola and Jade Ledochowski with two hits each.  Hanna Gary had a triple with two RBI's.

In the consolation round Saturday afternoon, Dakota County Technical College of Rosemount won the run count over the Royals 16-11 as each team had sixteen hits.  Dakota County scored 12 runs in the second inning with two outs.  Hanna Gary started the game, relieved by Kassi Jones, and Mackenzie Sansom.  Alaina McKinnon had two home runs and a double with five RBI's.  Emma Gary had four hits with a home run and double.  Hanna Gary, Kiahna Chumola and Mackenzie Sansom each had two hits.

The Royals season ends with a record of 15-31.  Emma Gary and Hanna Gary were named to the NJCAA Division 2 All Region 13 Team. The Mon-Dak conference team will be announced later.  For the season, the Royals hit 47 homeruns in 46 games (as of May 1^st was 15^th in the nation for NJCAA Division 2), had a team batting average of .341, a team slugging percentage of .545, hit 93 doubles, 6 triples, and had an on base percentage of .393. Nine players hit homeruns for the Royals. There are 5 sophomores that will be leaving the team this year. It was a good season for the Royals and for a program in its third year, it will help to build it for the future.