Sagan Osborne – Dickinson State Sports & Marketing Information Director
Dickinson, N.D. — Dickinson State closed out the regular season with a doubleheader sweep of Valley City State on Saturday at DCB&T Ballpark. The Blue Hawks earned a 6-3 victory in the opener before securing a 1-0 shutout in game two, marking their first shutout win since April 25, 2024, also against the Vikings.
The two wins moved Dickinson State to 18-27 overall and 10-10 in the North Star Athletic Association. The Blue Hawks will enter the NSAA tournament next week as the No. 3 seed.
In game one, Dickinson State overcame an early deficit and used a four-run fifth inning to take control. After Valley City State scored twice in the first and added another run in the third, the Blue Hawks answered with two runs in the bottom of the first before breaking a 3-3 tie in the fifth.
Luis Rodriguez delivered the big swing with a three-run home run in the fifth, part of a 2-for-3 effort with four RBIs and one run scored. Logan Braaten added an RBI single in the first inning. Wyatt Wilharm finished 1-for-3 with two runs scored, and Tyson Threadgill went 2-for-3. Nathaniel Jilek scored twice while appearing as a pinch runner and later entered in left field.
On the mound, Tate Williams started and worked four innings, allowing three runs (one earned) on six hits with five strikeouts. Rogelio Gonzalez picked up the win in relief, throwing two scoreless innings with two strikeouts. Trent Chavez earned the save with a clean seventh inning.
Valley City State collected seven hits in the opener, led by two hits apiece from P. Jorgenson and A. Velasco. T. Cookson took the loss for the Vikings, allowing six runs (three earned) over five innings with eight strikeouts.
In game two, Dickinson State leaned on dominant pitching and aggressive base running to complete the sweep. Carlos Molina Jr. tossed seven scoreless innings, striking out 12 while allowing just two hits and two walks. Jerry Santiago Jr. and Chavez each worked a scoreless inning to combine for the three-hit shutout, with Chavez earning his second save of the day.
The Blue Hawks scored the game's only run in the bottom of the eighth. Preston Jones reached on an error, and Sawyer Bryner entered as a pinch runner. Bryner stole both second and third before scoring on a pinch-hit RBI single to right field by Threadgill.
Jace Buchanan went 2-for-4 at the plate in the nightcap. Threadgill finished 1-for-1 with the game-winning RBI, and Nathaniel Jilek added a single.
Dickinson State pitchers combined for 13 strikeouts while limiting Valley City State to three hits and three walks. Molina faced 27 batters and threw 107 pitches in the no-decision.
A. Kim was charged with the loss for the Vikings despite a strong outing, giving up one unearned run on four hits across seven innings with six strikeouts. Valley City State left seven runners on base and was unable to break through against the Blue Hawk staff.
The two-win day secured Dickinson State's third-place finish in the NSAA standings. The Blue Hawks will now turn their focus to the conference tournament next week, looking to carry the momentum of their regular season finale into postseason play.
