MADISON, S.D. – The Dickinson State University (DSU) softball team went 1-1 in the opening double-header against Dakota State University (DaSU) on Saturday afternoon. The Blue Hawks fell 8-6 in game one but fought back with a 5-4 victory in game two.
Game One: Dickinson State University 8, Dakota State University 6
DSU's Rhea Paiva started off the inning with a lead-off walk to open the game in the top of the first inning. After a stolen base by Rhea Paiva on the next pitch and a hit-by-pitch on Dallis Mitchell during the next at-bat, DSU took the early 1-0 lead after a fielder's choice by Ari Martinez to force an error by the DaSU second baseman to score Paiva.
However, DaSU responded with a run of their own to even the score at 1-1 through one inning of play. Kennedy Kuntz started off the second inning with a single to first base – followed by a Kara Conway single to advance Kuntz into scoring position. In addition, Kuntz crossed home plate after an error by DaSU's left fielder on the same play. After a sacrifice bunt by Olivia Hanke to advance Conway to third base, Emilie Sickler would reach first base on a walk to put runners on the corners. After a bunt by Rhea Paiva to load the bases, Dallis Mitchell brought home Conway on the next at-bat for the two-run inning.
However, the Trojans packed on seven unanswered runs during the following three innings to take the 8-3 lead. Although the Blue Hawks started their comeback during the final two innings – tagging on three runs – it was not enough as they fell 8-6 in the first game of the four-game series.
From the Box Score –
The Blue Hawks were outhit 13-7 in the contest – with Emilie Sickler leading the way by going 2-for-3 with a walk and a run. The final five hits came off the bats of Rhea Paiva, Dallis Mitchell, Kennedy Kuntz, Kara Conway, and Madison Stephens.
From the mound, Ari Martinez suffered the loss as she let up ten hits for four runs (2ER) in 3.2 innings of work. Arjana Eilers and Madeline Paralta aided the Blue Hawk pitching staff – pitching 2.1 innings and letting up four runs. As a unit, the Blue Hawks sat down four Trojans in 31 batters faced.
Game Two: Dickinson State University 5, Dakota State University 4
In the second game of the day, the Trojans got on the board first in the bottom of the first inning off an error by DSU. However, Kamryn Kuntz followed with an RBI single up the middle to score her sister, Kennedy Kuntz, to tie things at 1-1.
After a scoreless third inning, DSU took their first lead of the game after a Kara Conway single up the middle to score Kamryn Kuntz for the 2-1 lead. However, DaSU put up a three-run fourth inning to regain the lead at 4-2.
Both teams remained scoreless in the fifth until the Blue Hawks started their comeback in the top of the sixth. After a lead-off walk by Kamryn Kuntz to led off the inning, Kuntz would move into scoring position on the next at-bat after a stolen case. After a flyout for the first out of the inning, Emilie Sickler reached base on a walk to put two runners on. After a double-steal to put both runners into scoring position, Rhea Paiva doubled to deep center field to tie things at 4-4. The biggest hit of the game came off the bat of Dallis Mitchell for the go-ahead run to put the Blue Hawks up by one.
The DSU defense and pitching staff closed down any hopes of a Trojan comeback during the final two innings to come away with the 5-4 come-from-behind win for the day one split.
From the Box Score –
Of the team's eight hits in the win, Kara Conway led the offense – going 3-for-4 with an RBI. Rhea Paiva and Kamryn Kuntz followed with two hits each, while Ari Martinez rounded out the final hit in the win. DSU drew seven walks and only surrendered one strikeout in the win.
From the mound, Dallis Mitchell continues to be a threat – picking up her third straight win from the circle. Mitchell let up four runs (3ER) off seven hits in seven innings pitched. She added three strikeouts and three walks.
