La Crosse, Wisco. – The Dickinson State University (DSU) softball team took care of business against Viterbo University on Sunday afternoon. The Blue Hawks defeated the V-Hawks 9-6 in game one and 8-5 in game two. With the day-one sweep, DSU improves to 10-18 overall and 2-4 in North Star play.

Game One: Dickinson State University 9, Viterbo University 6

After a scoreless first inning, the Blue Hawks took the 2-0 lead after a Kara Conway got things started with a lead-off double to left field. On the next at-bat, Emma Woodworth sent a bomb over the right-field fence for the early 2-0 lead.

After a scoreless third inning, the V-Hawks would tie things at 2-2 after a two-run inning. However, the Blue Hawks regained the lead in the top of the fifth inning. Rhea Paiva started the offense with a lead-off single and advanced to second base after Dallis Mitchell reached base on the next at-bat off an error by Viterbo's first baseman.

After a stolen base by Paiva, Ari Martinez connected for a sacrifice fly to tilt the lead back into the Blue Hawks' favor. After a hit-by-pitch on Katelyn Kubitschek on the next at-bat, Kara Conway connected for an RBI double down the left field line. Emma Woodworth followed with a double of her own to bring home Conway for the three-run inning.

However, the lead didn't last long as Viterbo responded with a three-run inning of their own to tie things at 5-5.

The Blue Hawks continued their offensive pressure in the top of the sixth after back-to-back-back singles by Emilie Sickler, Rhea Paiva, and Dallis Mitchell to load the bases. After an error by Viterbo's catcher to bring home Sickler, Ari Martinez connected for an RBI single to left field to score Paiva to give the Blue Hawks the 7-5 lead.

After a one-run inning by the V-Hawks to cut the Blue Hawk lead down to one, DSU responded once again with a two-run inning to extend their lead up to three. In the final inning, the Blue Hawk defense stayed poised and shut down any V-Hawk comeback.

From the Box Score –

Of the team's 16 hits in the win, Emma Woodworth, Emilie Sickler and Cassidy Venner led the team going 3-for-4. Kara Conway and Rhea Paiva followed with two hits each, while Madeline Peralta, Ari Martinez, and Katelyn Kubitschek notched the final three hits in the win.

From the mound, Dallis Mitchell captured the win after a five run (4ER) off ten hit performance. Mitchell added three strikeouts in five innings pitched. Madelina Peralta finished the final two innings with a one run (ER) off two hits showing.

Game Two: Dickinson State 8, Viterbo University 5

Although the V-Hawks took an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first, the Blue Hawks responded – in a big way – over the next three innings for the 8-2 advantage.

In the top of the second, Cassidy Venner started the inning off with a lead-off single and would advance to third base after an error by Viterbo's catcher on the next at-bat. With runners on second and third, Rhea Paiva connected for a 2RBI single to tie things at 2-2. DSU continued their offensive attack in the following inning after a two-run, two-hit inning for the 4-2 lead. In the top of the fourth, the Blue Hawks tagged on their biggest inning of the game with a four-run inning. After a pop-out for the first out, Rhea Paiva reached base on a walk and advanced to second after a Dallis Mitchell single to center field. On the next at-bat, the bases would be loaded after Bailey Pepper reached base on an error by Viterbo's third baseman. With the bases loaded, Katelyn Kubitschek connected for a sacrifice fly to bring home Paiva. Kara Conway followed with a three-run bomb to extend the Blue Hawks' lead up to six, 8-2.

The V-Hawks would follow with a one-run inning in the bottom of the fourth to cut into the Blue Hawk lead back down to five.

After a scoreless sixth inning for the Blue Hawks, the V-Hawks responded with a two-run inning to cut back into the Blue Hawks' lead to three, 8-5. However, DSU closed the door with any V-Hawk comeback and came away with the day one sweep.

From the Box Score –

Although the Blue Hawks were outhit in the game, 12-10, Rhea Paiva, Dallis Mitchell, Kara Conway, and Cassidy Venner led the offense with two hits each. Ari Martinez and Emma Woodworth rounded out the final two hits in the win. Martinez and Venner connected for extra-base hits with doubles, while Conway added a homerun.

From the mound, Ari Martinez earned the win for the Blue Hawks after a five-run, 13-hit performance in 6.2 innings.