Sagan Osborne – Dickinson State Sports & Marketing Information Director
Jamestown, N.D. — Dickinson State split a home doubleheader against Valley City State on Friday at DCB&T Ballpark, falling 2-1 in the opener before responding with a 4-2 victory in the nightcap.
In the first game, the Blue Hawks were limited to one hit — a solo home run from John-Michael Gonzalez Jr. in the bottom of the second inning — as Valley City State edged Dickinson State, 2-1. Gonzalez Jr.'s home run provided the lone run for the Blue Hawks, who could not solve Viking starter H. Magnuson across seven innings. Magnuson allowed one run on one hit, walked three and struck out five.
Right-hander Jacob Scully threw well in defeat, going the full seven innings for Dickinson State. Scully allowed six hits and two unearned runs, walked one, struck out five, and hit one batter. Both Valley City State runs were unearned, with the tying run scoring on a throwing error in the fifth and the go-ahead run coming on a sacrifice fly in the seventh.
Gonzalez Jr. finished 1-for-2 with a walk and the home run. Jadyn Roberts added a walk and a stolen base for the Blue Hawks, while Kadin Finders also drew a free pass.
Defensively, Cameron Erickson tallied five putouts behind the plate. Tyson Farwell recorded six putouts at first base, and Wyatt Wilharm contributed two assists at third base.
In game two, Dickinson State took advantage of timely hitting and strong pitching to secure the split. The Blue Hawks scored twice in the third and added two more in the sixth to claim the 4-2 win.
The third inning began with Tyson Threadgill drawing a walk, followed by Logan Braaten working a free pass. After Erickson advanced both runners with a sacrifice bunt, Jace Buchanan delivered an RBI groundout to bring in Threadgill. Gonzalez Jr. followed with an RBI single to center, scoring Braaten and giving Dickinson State a 2-0 lead.
Valley City State responded with single runs in the fifth and sixth innings to tie the game, but Dickinson State answered in the bottom of the sixth. Luis Rodriguez doubled to right field and came home on a two-run home run to right field by Roberts, putting the Blue Hawks back in front, 4-2.
Trent Richter earned the win on the mound for Dickinson State, working six innings and allowing two runs on five hits. The senior struck out three and walked two. Patrick Dietz followed with two scoreless innings of relief, giving up one hit and striking out one. Trent Chavez closed out the ninth, recording the save while allowing one hit and striking out one.
Gonzalez Jr. led the Blue Hawks at the plate in game two, finishing 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Rodriguez was 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles and two runs scored, while Roberts went 1-for-4 with two RBIs and the go-ahead homer. Braaten added a 2-for-2 effort with a double and a walk.
Dickinson State matched Valley City State with seven hits in the contest. The Blue Hawks played clean defense, committing no errors in the nightcap after two miscues in the opener.
Erickson paced the defense once again with five putouts, while Buchanan and Wilharm combined for four assists in the infield.
