DICKINSON, N.D. – The Dickinson State baseball team dropped a pair of games to nationally ranked opponent, Bellevue University, on Saturday afternoon. The Blue Hawks fell 8-2 in game one and 13-2 in game two. With the losses, the Blue Hawks move to 12-18 overall and 5-5 in NSAA action.
Game One: Dickinson State 2, No. 11 Bellevue University 8
Over the first two innings of play, both teams remained scoreless until the Bruins tagged on two runs in the top of the third inning for the early 2-0 lead. After another scoreless two innings, Bellevue poured in four unanswered runs in the next three innings to push their lead to 7-0.
In the bottom of the eighth, Derrick Calvillo started the inning off by reach base on a hit-by-pitch. After a ground out on the next at-bat to advance pinch-runner Nathan Jilek, Robert Encinas singled on a ground ball to the shortstop to put runners on first and second. After a fly-out on the next at-bat to hand the Blue Hawks their second out of the inning, Jilek crossed home plate on a wild pitch to give the Blue Hawks their first run of the game.
However, the Bruins tagged on two more runs in the top of the ninth for the commanding 8-1 lead. The Blue Hawks were able to come away with another run after a solo homerun by Jacob Clinton to lead off the inning but eventually fell in the first game of the four-game series.
From the Box Score –
Of the team's four hits in the loss, Jacob Clinton led the team with two, while Mathias Dufner and Robert Encinas followed with a hit apiece.
From the mound, Jacob Scully suffered the loss as he let up four runs (2ER) off seven hits in seven innings pitched. Scully added two walks, while sitting down four Bruins in game one.
Game Two: Dickinson State 2, No. 11 Bellevue University 13
DSU got on the board first in the bottom of the second inning after a Richie Cortese single to center field to bring around his older brother, Dawson Cortese – who reached bae on a single to the outfield.
However, the No. 11 team in the nation continued their offensive pressure from game one and tagged on 13 unanswered runs over the following five innings for the 13-1 lead. During the final inning, DSU's comeback came up short as the team only came away with one more run for the 13-2 loss.
From the Box Score –
The Blue Hawks improved from game one – racking up five hits in the loss. Dawson Cortese led the team going 2-for-3 with a double, while Derrick Calvillo, Mathias Dufner and Richie Cortese added the final three hits in the game. Calvillo added the final extra-base hit with a triple.
From the mound, Brannan Hogan suffered the loss after a eight hit, eight run (6ER) performance. Hogan threw for the first four innings, while John Koronka and Juan Garcia added the final three innings in relief.
