ABERDEEN, S.D. – The (RV) Dickinson State University (DSU) women's softball team split a pair of games in the opening day of the PC Dome Classic II. The Blue Hawks fell 8-0 to No. 20 Morningside University (MU) in six innings but responded with a 3-1 win over NCAA DII, Minnesota State University – Moorhead (MSUM). With the split, the Blue Hawks move to 3-3 on the year.
Game One – Dickinson State University 0, No. 20 Morningside University 8
The Mustangs started off their 2022 season with an 8-0 win over the 2-2 Blue Hawks on Friday afternoon. MU used ten hits and scored in four different innings to hand the Blue Hawks their third loss of the season.
Of the team's three hits, Rhea Paiva, Dallis Mitchell and Madison Stephens each knocked a hit in the loss. Mitchell recorded the only extra-base hit with a double in the second inning.
From the mound, Ari Martinez (2-1) suffered her first loss of the season as she let up three runs (3ER) in two hits in a third of an inning pitched. Madeline Peralta finished out the game in relief with five runs (5ER) off eight hits in five innings. Peralta struck out one in 20 batters faced.
Game Two – Dickinson State University 3, Minnesota State University – Moorhead 1
The Blue Hawks got things rolling in the second game of the day against NCAA DII opponent, MSUM. After the Blue Hawk defense held the Dragons' offense to a three-and-out, it took one homerun to get DSU on the board. After starting the inning with back-to-back strikeouts, Ari Martinez blasted her second homerun of the season to give the Blue Hawks the early 1-0 lead.
After a scoreless next two innings by both teams, MSUM tied things up off the bat of MSUM's Jordey Smith to score Shay Weber. However, Dickinson responded with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning to retake the lead. After a lead-off walk by Stephens and a sacrifice hit by Mitchell to advance Stephens into scoring position, Gianna Monteleone singled to right center to bring home Stephens for the 2-1 lead. DSU extended their lead up to two, 3-1, in the following inning after Stephens reached on a fielder's choice to score Katelyn Kubitschek.
The Blue Hawk defense stayed poised and held the Dragons' offense to one hit during the final two innings to come away with the 3-1 win.
The Blue Hawk offense combined for six hits in the win with Ari Martinez leading the Blue Hawk attack with two. Rhea Paiva, Madison Stephens, Gianna Monteleone, and Ashley Nash recorded the final four hits, while Stephens and Martinez notched the extra-base hits in the win.
From the mound, Ari Martinez (3-1) grabbed her third win of the season as she held the Dragons' offense to one run (1ER) off one hit and striking out one in 4.1 innings pitched. Dallis Mitchell earned her second save of the season as she came in relief to hold MSUM to one hit in nine batters faced. As a unit, the pitching staff held MSUM to two hits, one run, two walks, while striking out three.
Up Next –
The Blue Hawks return to the PC Dome for a pair of games against Dakota Wesleyan University and (RV) University of Jamestown tomorrow afternoon. The Blue Hawks take on the Tigers at 1 p.m. and round out the weekend against the Jimmies at 3 p.m.
