The Tabor College softball team saw its recent losing streak reach 12 games with a run of losses that included a pair of home losses to Dakota State as well as an 0-for-5 drought during the weekend?s McPherson tournament.
Dakota State defeated the Bluejays by a combined score of 14-1 Thursday.
Tabor was outscored 50-15 in the tournament at McPherson: a 7-5 loss to Mid-America Christian, a pair of 9-2 losses to MidAmerica Nazarene and Graceland, a 9-0 shutout against Dakota State, and a 16-6 loss to Mount Mercy in the finale.
Dakota State?The Bluejays lost the opener by a deceptive 7-0, committing four errors to allow four unearned runs while poking only two hits through the Dakota State defense.
Danielle Cronauer allowed just one run in the first five innings of the loss, but found little support from the Bluejays offense.
Janelle Madrano and Jolynn Padilla each singled, while three Bluejays drew walks to reach base: Alyssa Voth, Cronauer, and Dorene Dodson.
The second game tilted more sharply to the visitors, as Dakota State led 3-0 after one inning.
Tabor got one back when Voth scored on Kezia Cabrera?s double in the third inning, but Dakota State pushed insurance runs across in the top of the fifth, sixth and seventh innings.
Dodson picked up the loss.
McPherson tournament?After falling behind Mid-America Christian 4-0 without booking a single out, the Bluejays rallied with two runs in the bottom of the first, then played to a draw until the fifth inning?after which, the game was called.
Against Graceland, starting pitcher Danielle Cronauer posted scoreless innings in the first and second, but was scorched for three in the third, two in the fourth, one in the fifth and three more in the sixth.
The Tabor offense lay dormant until the bottom of the fourth, when Kezia Cabrera crossed the plate. Cabrera scored again in the sixth, with Megan Wedal and Dorene Dodson providing the requisite run-scoring singles.
Official statistics recorded in the tournament losses to MidAmerica Nazarene, Dakota State and Mount Mercy were not available at press time.
Friends, Sterling, McPherson and Bethany also participated. With the Falcons sporting a 5-0 record, the KCAC posted an 11-13 record in the event.
Coming?Tabor (2-14) began conference play Tuesday at McPherson, and continue the road swing with 10 non-conference games in six days over spring break.
The Bluejays resume conference play April 1 at Kansas Wesleyan.
