Dickinson, ND- the Dickinson State University Blue Hawks sweep the Dakota State University Trojans in a four-game series.
Dickinson State University 8, Dakota State University 0
In the first game of the series the Blue Hawks dominated the Trojans, crushing them 8-0 and only allowing one hit the entire game.
The Blue Hawks got two on base right away due to Dakota State University defense errors. Whitney Mesi hit a single RBI and Clair Shoffit scored giving the Blue Hawks the 1-0 lead. The game remained quiet until the bottom of the 3rd inning when Whitney Mesi hit a 2-RBI single and DSU extended their lead to 3-0. Andrea Rodriquez and Sonja Lawrence scored off the hit. In the bottom of the 4th inning, Caitlyn Welch had a single bunt and advanced to second base after Emilie Sickler's sacrifice bunt. Andrea Rodriguez stepped up to the plate and hit a RBI single making the game 4-0 for the Blue Hawks. In the bottom of the 5th inning the Blue Hawks Jaya Allen hit a solo home run to make the game 5-0. After the home run, with two runners on base, Rhea Paiva hit an RBI single and Whitney Mesi scored, 6-0. Andrea Rodriguez sealed the 8-0 victory when she hit an RBI double and Rhea Paiva and Kayla Stephens scored.
On the mound, starting pitcher Jaya Allen pitched all 5 innings. Allen only allowed one hit and no runs while striking out five.
Leading the way at the plate was Whitney Mesi who went 3-3 and had 3 RBI's. Andrea Rodriguez had a double, two singles, and 3 RBI's. Andrea Lawrence had two single hits, and Jaya Allen had a home run and one RBI.
Dickinson State University 6, Dakota State University 1
In the second game of the series, Dakota State University came out swinging and collected a solo home run in the top of the first inning to give them the one point lead. The Blue Hawks answered back right away in the bottom of the 2nd inning when Whitney Mesi led off with a single advancing Abi Brooks to 3rd base. After Kayla Stephens got an RBI single hit, Whitney Mesi scored to tie the game 1-1. In the bottom of the 3rd inning, Claire Shoffit hit a single RBI and Andrea Rodriguez scored increasing the lead 2-1. In the bottom of the 4th inning, Sonja Lawrence hit a triple RBI to make the score 5-1 and to close out the game, Kayla Stephens hit an RBI to finalize the 6-1 victory.
On the mound, Abi Brooks pitched for 4 innings and gave up 6 hits and 1 run. Jaya Allen pitched for 3 innings only giving up 2 hits and registering 5 strikeouts.
At the plate, Kayla Stephens went 3-for-3 and had 2 singles and a double, and 2 RBI's. Sonja Lawrence had a triple and an RBI, and Caitlyn Welch had a double. Finishing off the day, Andrea Rodriguez had two singles and 1 RBI and Claire Shoffit had 3 hits and 1 RBI.
"Abi and Jaya pitched unbelievable only giving up one run in 26 innings of work. Our defense stepped up and made the routine plays to help keep runs off the boards. Our offense executed and scored the runs we need to. It was good to get the series sweep, something our program hasn't done in 2 years. The team stepped up big to the challenge and made remarkable adjustments, things we have been preaching all season," stated head coach Kristen Fleury.
