YANKTON, S.D. – The Dickinson State baseball team went 1-2 in the final three games of the four-game series against the Lancers of Mount Marty University (MMU) on Friday afternoon. The Blue Hawks defeated MMU 5-4 in game one, but fell in the final two games to drop 1-3 overall in the four-game series. With the 1-3 end-of-week series, the Blue Hawks drop to 5-9 overall.
Game One: Dickinson State 5, Mount Marty 4
Mount Marty started off the scoring in the bottom of the first inning after a homerun by MMU's Hancock. The score remained 1-0, in favor of MMU, throughout the next two innings until DSU's Cade Ostenson connected for a homerun of his own to tie things at 1-1 through the fourth inning.
The biggest inning offensively, for either team, came in the top of the fifth inning as the Blue Hawks tagged on four runs, off four hits, for the 5-1 lead. Angel Faras started the inning off as he reached first off an error by MMU's shortstop and advanced to second on a stolen base. After a single by Krenz to move Faras to third, DSU's Schneiter notched an RBI base-hit to score the unearned run. After a fielder's choice on the next at-bat, DSU's Clinton strung a hit to left field to bring home Krenz. Although the Lancers made a pitching change on the next at-bat, Ostenson grabbed his second hit of the day to score pinch runner O'Donnell. The final run of the inning came off the bat of Derrick Calvillo to bring home Nieto.
Although the Lancers started to get things going offensively during the final three innings, DSU held onto the seventh inning lead to hand the Lancers their third loss of the season.
From the Box Score –
Offensively, the Blue Hawks connected for five runs and five RBIS off six hits. Cade Ostenson led the Blue Hawks by going 2-for-3 – including a team-high two RBIS, in the game. Clinton, Krenz, Schneiter, and Nieto rounded out the final four hits in the 5-4 victory.
From the mound, Jacob Scully earned his first win of the season after a two run (2ER), six hit line through six innings. Scully sat down eight Lancers in the win. Jake Koronka earned his first save of the year as he pitched in the final inning for the Blue Hawks.
Game Two: Dickinson State 0, Mount Marty 5
After a scoreless three innings for both teams, the Lancers went on and scored during the final three innings of the game to come away with the 5-0 victory. Despite five Blue Hawks' hits, DSU was unable to connect to put any runs on the scoreboard. The Lancers used two homeruns, a single, and an error to hand the Blue Hawks their first loss of the day.
From the Box Score –
Dawson Cortese led the Blue Hawk attack with two hits in the loss. Cade Ostenson, Angel Faras and Kobe Krenz added the final three hits – stranding four Blue Hawks on-base in the game. From the mound, DSU's Richter suffered the loss as he gave up three runs (2ER) off four hits in five innings pitched.
Game Three: Dickinson State 2, Mount Marty 3
In the final game of the four-game series, the Blue Hawks were edged out due to a three-run inning by the Lancers in the bottom of the second inning. The Blue Hawks cut the Lancers' lead down to two after a sacrifice fly by DSU's Schneiter to score Mathias Dufner. After a scoreless fifth inning for both teams, DSU got things started with a double by Mathias to put him into scoring position. Angel Faras responded with a double of his own on the next at-bat to bring home Mathias and cut the lead down to one. However, with the bases loaded, the Blue Hawks fell short as DSU's Nieto hit into a double-play to end the inning. Unable to get anything offensively going in the final inning, the Blue Hawks suffered their third loss of the series.
From the Box Score –
Of the Blue Hawks' six hits in the loss, Mathias Dufner and Angel Faras led the team with two hits apiece. Jacob Clinton and Brendan Schneiter rounded out the final two Hawks with a hit. From the mound, Brennan Hogan suffered the loss as the senior let up three runs (3ER) off five hits in three innings. Tyler Gray pitched the final three innings in relief and held the Lancers scoreless in 11 batters faced.
