TUCSON, Ariz. – The Dickinson State softball team grabbed two wins in Thursday's triple header during the TIG games. The Blue Hawks defeated their first two opponents of the day against Graceland University and Robert Morris before falling to Aquinas later this evening. With the 2-1 day, the Blue Hawks move to 10-7 on the season.
Dickinson State University 3, Graceland University 1
After four scoreless innings to start the game, Graceland picked up the late 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. GU's Kuehl homered on a 1-1 count to center field to draw the first score of the game. However, Dickinson quickly got things rolling offensively and tied the game at 1-1 in the next inning after a Sonja Lawrence (SR/Las Vegas, NV) double to deep center field to bring home Andrea Rodriguez (SR/Calexico, CA). The Blue Hawks continued their offensive pressure in the sixth inning after a Claire Shoffit (SR/Woodland, CA) double to center field and a Whitney Mesi (SR/Anaheim, CA) homerun on the next at-bat to take the lead.
Starting pitcher Jaya Allen (SO/Spokane, WA) closed down the Graceland offense during the final inning to escape with her fifth win of the season. Allen threw a complete game as she let up one run (1ER) off five hits while striking out nine.
At the plate, the Blue Hawks slammed in nine hits in the win with Claire Shoffit and Whitney Mesi leading the way with two hits apiece. Rhea Pavia, Emilie Sickler (SO/Dickinson, ND), Sonja Lawrence, Kayla Stephens (SR/Las Vegas, NV) and Andrea Rodriguez hit in the final five hits, while Mesi and Lawrence had the three RBIs with two and one respectively.
Dickinson State University 7, Robert Morris 3
The Blue Hawks grabbed the fifth inning lead and never looked back as they cruised to a 7-3 win over Robert Morris in the second game of the triple header. After one inning of play, each team knocked in a run to get things going offensively. The Blue Hawks followed up with a two-run inning in the third thanks to a two-run homerun by Claire Shoffit to take the 3-1 lead. RMU responded with a two-run inning of their own in the fifth to tie things at 3-3.
Shoffit got things rolling again in the bottom of the fifth inning as she blasted a double to deep right field to score Jordan Menke (SR/Las Vegas, NV). Mesi followed as she reached base on an error by RMU's center fielder to bring home Shoffit for the 5-3 lead. From there, the Blue Hawks tagged on another two runs in the sixth inning to secure their 7-3 win.
Abi Brooks (SR/Rocklin, CA) earned the win as she went five innings, allowing three runs on seven hits while striking out four. Offensively, three Blue Hawks hit for multiple hits including Jaya Allen with three and Claire Shoffit and Abi Brooks with two. Rhea Pavia rounded out the final hit in the win.
Dickinson State University 0, Aquinas 3
Things did not go as planned for the Blue Hawks as they dropped the final game of Thursay's triple-header to Aquinas by a score of 3-0. Aquinas got on the board in the third inning after an error by Pavia to give three bases and was brought home by a Mairose double for the early 1-0 lead. Aquinas solidified their 3-0 victory as they tagged on two more runs in the top of the seventh after a 2RBI triple AU's Dawson. Unable to get anything going offensively – as the Blue Hawks were outhit 9-2 in the game – the Blue Hawks dropped their seventh game of the season.
Jaya Allen dropped her sixth game of the year as she seven innings, slowing three runs off eight hits, while striking out 12. At the plate, Kayla Stephens and Andrea Rodriguez notched the lone two hits of the game.
