ABERDEEN, S.D.-- After seeing a 5-2 fourth-inning lead turn into a 6-5 deficit one inning later, the University of Jamestown softball team rallied for an 8-6 win over Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) University Friday afternoon at the Fairfield Inn & Suites PC Dome Classic.

The Jimmies trailed 2-0 heading into the top of the fourth. A two-run single by Lauren Diemert (FR/West Fargo, N.D.), a solo home run by Kassi Ward (JR/Olympia, Wash.), an RBI single by Sydney Prussia (JR/Detroit Lakes, Minn.), and an RBI double by Morgan Geiszler (JR/Horace, N.D.) accounted for UJ's offense in a five-run inning.

DWU came back with four runs of their own in the bottom of the fifth to take a 6-5 lead. Geiszler came through again with an RBI double in the top of the sixth, scoring Prussia to tie the game at 6-6.

In the Jamestown seventh, Kassi Ward reached on a one-out walk and moved to third on a single by Katie Merchant (SO/South Haven, Minn.). Alexa Geller (FR/Fort Collins, Colo.), running for Merchant, advanced to second on defensive indifference to put runners on second and third. Lorigan Steuben (SO/Yacolt, Wash.) reached on a fielder's choice, allowing Ward to score and Geller to move up to third. A sacrifice fly by Megan Neiles (FR/Winnipeg, MB) brought home Geller for the second run of the inning and an 8-6 lead.

Ann-Marie Crandlemire (SO/Sicamous, BC) (1-0) pitched the final 2 1/3 innings for the win. She allowed just one hit and one walk while striking out two. Merchant worked the first 4 2/3 innings, striking out seven and allowing six runs on seven hits.

Geiszler, Neiles, and Prussia all had two hits. Prussia stole a pair of bases and Mariah Wick (JR/Jamestown, N.D.) also had a steal.

Dordt (Iowa) 9, Jamestown 6 (8 innings)
In Friday's first game, Dordt University scored six runs over the final four frames to defeat the Jimmies 9-6 in eight innings.

The Defenders plated three runs in their first at bat, but UJ answered with three runs in the bottom of the second, two of them coming on an error and the other on a single by Gracie Fisher (FR/Bemidji, Minn.).

Morgan Geiszler smashed a two-run home run and Santina Zito (SO/Boise, Idaho) ripped a solo shot in the bottom of the fourth to give UJ a 6-3 lead.

Dordt added single runs in each of the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings to tie the game at 6.

Three runs in the top of the eighth proved to be the difference for Dordt as they held Jamestown from scoring in the bottom half.

Katie Merchant (1-1), the third of three Jimmie pitchers, took the loss. She worked the final 1 2/3 innings, striking out four and allowing three runs on two hits. Lucy Sinkkonen (FR/Cloquet, Minn.) came on in relief in the top of the first and pitched six innings, giving up three runs (two earned) on seven hits, striking out two.

Geiszler had three hits, while Merchant, Fisher, and Lorigan Steuben had a pair of hits each.

UJ (3-1) continues play in the Fairfield Inn & Suites Dome Classic Saturday with a 12 p.m. game against Minot State University and a 2 p.m. game against Briar Cliff (Iowa) University.