Royals Softball Struggles Out of the Gate

The Lake Region State College Royals softball team traveled to the Minot State University bubble to play 3 games over the weekend playing in the 2^nd annual Mon-Dak Preconference Jamboree. In the first game on Saturday February 1, against Miles City Community College, the Royals struggled to throw strikes and ended up losing by the score of 12-2 in 5 innings. In the game, Miles City scores 2 in the first and 3 in the second innings to take a 5 to 0 lead on only 2 hits. The Pioneers from Miles City then scored 1 in the third and 4 in the fourth off just 3 hits. The Royals had 5 hits in the game, singles by Tyra Robertson, Emery Miller, and Dani Ruest. Sam Shumway had a double while Sydney Hertlein tripled. Abbi Opheikens started the game giving up 10 runs with 5 walks, 4 hit batters, and 4 strike outs. Sydney Hertlein came in relief giving up 2 runs striking out 3.

In game 2, the Royals played Dakota College at Bottineau losing by the score of 14-8. The Royals started strong scoring 4 in the first 4 innings but gave up 12 runs in the fifth inning which was too much to overcome. In the first inning, Sam Shumway blasted a homerun over the left center fence to give the Royals the lead. In the second inning, Emery Miller lead off with a single and later scored when Tehani Yamamoto hit into a fielder's choice. Abbi Opheikens also scored that inning after she singled, stole second, and was hit in by Micah Manuel. In the fourth inning, Emery Miller lead off the inning with a hit by pitch scoring later after Abbi Opheikens singled. Then in the 5^th, the flood gates opened and the Lady Jacks from Dakota College scored 12 runs in the inning. Tehani Yamamoto was replaced by Emily Wininger after walking the first 2 batters of the inning and giving up a double. Sydney Hertlein came in to relieve Wininger but was unable to stop the momentum. Abbi Opheikens relieved Hertlein striking out the last 2 batters to end the inning. The Royals responding in the fifth inning by scoring 3 runs. Dani Ruest reached on an error, Tyra Robertson singled, then Sam Shumway blasted a double off the wall to score them. Shumway scored when Emery Miller hit into a fielder's choice. The Royals scored again in the 6^th inning after Abbi Opheikens singled then scored on a passed ball. Tyra Robertson had a double and a single in the game, Shumway doubled and singled, Opheikens had 3 hits, and Emery Miller had 2 singles.

On Sunday February 2^nd, the Royals were again in the Minot State University bubble taking on Dawson Community College. Dawson won the game by the score of 13-0. Alexis Kappel from Dawson held the Royals to just one hit, a double by Sam Shumway in the first inning, striking out 9 in 5 innings. The Royals were again plagued by the big inning. In the third, the Buccaneers from Dawson scored 10 runs off of pitcher Sydney Hertlein. The inning had a mix of well hit balls, untimely errors, missed opportunities, and walks. Abbi Opheikens came in to relieve Hertlein giving up 5 runs, none earned, striking out 2.