The Briar Cliff softball team earned their 25th and 26th wins of the season with a sweep of Dakota State Tuesday at Bishop Mueller Complex. With 10 games left in the regular season, the Chargers have hit the 25-win mark for the first time since the 2005 season.
 
"Happy with how the team bounced back today," said head coach Erin Bly. "With their 26th win, that is the most wins this squad has had since 2005. It is a testament to the belief and determination of this program."
 
Karis Gifford extended her hit streak to 10 games, matching Ali Naumann's team high that she set earlier this season. Kylee Lukes has now reached safely in 17 straight games.
 
"Offensively we did a much better job scoring early and driving the ball," said Bly. "Kylee had a fantastic day at the plate for us. Maddi Duncan and Morgan Jones did a nice job keeping DSU's hitters at bay. All in all a good day of softball."
 
Game 1 – W, 6-0
 
The Chargers were in prime position to score multiple runs in the first inning, placing runners on second and third with no outs. However, the Trojans were able to escape the jam with three straight outs to keep the game scoreless.
 
After three up, three down in the top of the second, courtesy of three Maddi Duncan strikeouts, Aubrey Chichurka blasted a solo home run for BC's first run. After another 1-2-3 inning by the Trojans, Briar Cliff added another run in the bottom of the third this time off a Lukes home run ball.
 
 With the bases juiced in the bottom of the fourth, Audrey Evola tacked on the Chargers third run with an infield single. Lukes scored Chichurka on a SAC fly to give the Cliff a 4-0 lead.

While Duncan continued to dominate on the mound, pitching her fifth shutout of the season, the Charger bats came through with two more runs in the sixth. Lukes doubled to left field scoring pinch runner Veronica Pitzl  and Gifford.
 
The Trojans managed two runners in the top of the seventh, but a fly out followed by a ground out ended the comeback attempt.
 
Duncan improves to 15-4 on the season with a nine-strikeout, five-hit shutout.
 
Lukes went 2-for-3 with four RBIs and one run scored. Chichurka went a perfect 3-for-3, while Gifford tallied two hits.
 
Game 2 – W, 4-1
 
Lukes continued her tear at the plate in game two, knocking a two-run homerun over the fence in the first inning.
 
Morgan Jones started in the pitcher's circle in game two and retired nine of her first 11 batter faced. Lukes added to the Charger run total in the bottom of the third with a SAC fly that scored Gifford. Gifford moved into scoring position after a single to leadoff, followed by a Cupples single and a wild pitch. Cupples drove in the final run for the Cliff in the fifth on a single through the right side that scored Pitzl.
 
Dakota State got a run back in the fourth with a SAC fly, but Jones and the BC defense would retire 10 of the next 11 batters face to close out a 4-1 win.
 
Lukes went 1-for-1 at the plate with three RBIs and a walk. Gifford went 1-for-3 with two runs and Ali Naumann stole one base.
 
Jones allowed five hits in her one-run complete game with two strikeouts to earn her second win of the season.
 
The Chargers are on the road this weekend with a doubleheader at Concordia on Friday and a pair of games against Midland on Saturday.