Utica hadn't done well against Dakota recently (they were 0-4 in their previous four matchups), but they didn't let the past get in their way on Wednesday. The Chieftains walked away with a 10-5 victory over the Cougars. For the Chieftains, this counts as revenge for the 8-1 win the Cougars walked away with the last time they faced one another back in June of 2024.
Violet Smith made a splash while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she tossed seven innings while giving up four earned (and one unearned) runs off 11 hits. Smith was also big at the plate, going 3-for-5 with two runs, one double, and one RBI. That's the most runs she has posted since back in April of 2025.
In other batting news, Utica let Avery Nicosia and Rachel Durecki run wild. Nicosia went 2-for-4 with two runs, one double, and one RBI, while Durecki went 1-for-4 with two runs, one triple, and one RBI. The team also got some help courtesy of Ava Brunning, who went 1-for-3 with two RBI and one run.
vs
| 04/08/26 - Away | 10-5 W |
| 06/01/24 - Home | 1-8 L |
| 06/12/21 - Neutral | 1-5 L |
| 04/18/17 - Away | 0-15 L |
| 05/31/16 - Home | 1-9 L |
The victory got Utica back to even at 1-1. As for Dakota, they are on a four-game losing streak (dating back to last season) that has dropped them down to 0-3.
Looking ahead, Utica will welcome Lutheran North at 4:00 p.m. on Friday. As for Dakota, they are taking a road trip to challenge Chippewa Valley at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. The game will give the Cougars their first taste of in-conference action this season.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
