Royals Secure Road Sweep

The Royals softball team hit the road for their shortest trip of the season on Thursday, taking on the Dakota College at Bottineau Jacks in a two-game series—and came away with a dominant sweep.

Game one didn't start in the Royals' favor, as they fell behind 6–1 after the first inning. However, they responded in a big way, putting together a four-run rally fueled by five singles, two walks, and doubles from Alexa Ferguson and Leta Schulz. The Jacks answered with three runs of their own to maintain a 9–5 lead.

The Royals continued to chip away, adding two runs in the fourth after Payton Durand launched a two-run home run to center field. They followed that with another two runs in the fifth, highlighted by a double from Kaell Klisowsky and three consecutive singles to drive in runs.

In the sixth inning, the Royals surged ahead. Durand led off with a double—completing the cycle—and after a series of singles, the Royals claimed an 11–9 lead. The Jacks managed to score once in the bottom of the inning, but the Royals sealed the game with three insurance runs in the seventh to secure a 14–10 victory.

Durand delivered a standout performance, going 5-for-5, hitting for the cycle, scoring four runs, and driving in five RBIs. Ella Harkness, Schulz, and Klisowsky each contributed with 3-for-5 performances at the plate.

The Royals' offense carried that momentum into game two. They exploded for six runs in the first inning and added three more in the second to take early control. In the third, back-to-back-to-back doubles from Harkness, Schulz, and Klisowsky helped extend the lead.

The Jacks managed to score a run in both the third and fourth innings, but the Royals kept piling on, building a 15–2 lead heading into the fifth. The offense erupted again, scoring seven runs in the inning behind six straight singles to start the frame, followed by five more singles later in the inning.

The Jacks pushed across three runs in the bottom of the fifth, but it wasn't enough, as the Royals secured a decisive 22–5 win to complete the sweep.

Durand continued her impressive day with four more hits in game two, while Harkness, Klisowsky, and Faith Spence each added three hits. Tristin McTavish earned the win in the circle, pitching five innings and allowing just four earned runs.

The Royals return to action Saturday as they host the Jacks once again in their final conference series of the season.