Sagan Osborne – Dickinson State Sports and Marketing Information Director
Jamestown, N.D. – Dickinson State capitalized on early offense and strong pitching to secure a pair of victories at the Nelson Family Bubble in Jamestown, N.D.
In the opener, Dickinson State defeated Jamestown 6-2 behind a complete-game effort from Alison Eldridge. The right-hander limited Jamestown to six hits while striking out six in seven innings. Offensively, the Blue Hawks struck early, plating two runs in the first inning. Baylee Berg drove in the first run with a single up the middle before Kara Conway doubled to right field, bringing home another.
Dickinson State extended its lead in the second when Celina Wilharm doubled home Allyson Farrington. Brooke Lijewski followed with a single to center, scoring Wilharm for a 4-0 advantage. Jamestown cut into the lead in the third with a two-run double, but the Blue Hawks responded in the fourth, scoring on an error to make it 5-2. Berg provided the final run in the sixth with an RBI double to right-center. Wilharm led the offense with four hits and an RBI, while Berg added two hits and two RBIs.
In the second game, Dickinson State erupted for 15 runs on 13 hits in a five-inning victory over Valley City State. The Blue Hawks trailed 2-0 after the first, but quickly responded with five runs in the second. Jersi Morse singled home Bailey Hansen before stealing second, allowing HaiLeigh Davis to swipe home. Wilharm and Lijewski each delivered run-scoring hits before Lijewski capped the inning with a two-run single to center.
Dickinson State blew the game open with an eight-run third inning. The Blue Hawks loaded the bases before Wilharm was hit by a pitch, forcing in a run. Lijewski added an RBI fielder's choice before Berg and Conway followed with bases-loaded walks. Conway then cleared the bases with a three-run triple to right-center. Morse capped the rally with a two-run single.
Wilharm doubled home another run in the fourth before Valley City State responded with three in the fifth. Hope Fath earned the win, allowing five runs over 4.1 innings while striking out three. Ava Jahner recorded the final two outs. Farrington led the offense with three hits and four runs, while Wilharm and Morse each drove in three runs.
Dickinson State improved to 9-3 on the season with the two victories.
