Lewiston, Idaho - Dickinson State saw its season come to a close Tuesday with a 12-4 loss to Wayland Baptist in an NAIA Baseball Opening Round elimination game at Harris Field in Lewiston, Idaho.
The Blue Hawks fell behind early and couldn't recover from a four-run fourth inning by the Pioneers. Dickinson State (21-31) trailed 3-0 after two innings before tying the game in the third. Wayland Baptist, however, quickly responded with a grand slam and added five more runs in the ninth to secure the win.
Luis Rodriguez delivered a two-run single in the third inning to get the Blue Hawks on the board. He drove in Sawyer Bryner and Tyson Threadgill, who reached on a hit-by-pitch and single, respectively. Rodriguez then advanced to second on the throw, and Wyatt Wilharm brought in Jace Buchanan with a groundout to second to make it 3-3.
Dickinson State's momentum was short-lived. Wayland Baptist regained the lead in the top of the fourth when Samuel Pimentel hit a grand slam to left field, giving the Pioneers a 7-3 advantage.
Carlos Molina Jr. started on the mound and took the loss, dropping to 1-2 on the season. He went 3.2 innings and was charged with seven runs—four earned—on seven hits and three walks. He struck out four. Trent Richter came out of the bullpen and held Wayland Baptist scoreless over 3.1 innings, allowing just one hit with four strikeouts. Tate Williams followed with a scoreless eighth before Trent Chavez allowed five runs on five hits in the ninth.
Cameron Erickson led the Blue Hawks at the plate, finishing 3-for-4 with an RBI double in the ninth that scored Ty Farwell. Rodriguez added a hit and two RBIs, while Wilharm drove in one. John-Michael Gonzalez Jr. reached base three times with a hit and two walks and also stole a base.
Dickinson State was limited to seven hits and struck out 11 times against Pioneer pitching. The Blue Hawks were 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position and left seven on base.
Wayland Baptist (40-18) outhit Dickinson State 15-7 and capitalized on five Blue Hawk errors. The Pioneers scored twice in the second inning, both unearned, aided by a throwing error and a miscue at third base. In the fourth, after two singles and a walk loaded the bases, Pimentel's grand slam broke the tie.
The Blue Hawks had opportunities to answer but were unable to capitalize. In the sixth, Gonzalez walked and stole second, but a pair of outs stranded him at third after Logan Braaten's single.
In the ninth, the Pioneers broke the game open. After a bunt single scored one, a two-run single and a sacrifice groundout added three more. Polanco capped the five-run inning with an RBI single that extended the lead to 12-3.
Dickinson State responded with a run in the bottom of the ninth as Erickson's RBI double scored Farwell, who had walked and advanced on a throwing error.
With the loss, Dickinson State concluded its 2025 season with a 21-31 overall record.
