JAMESTOWN, N.D. — Dickinson State recorded a pair of neutral-site victories Friday, defeating Dakota Wesleyan 4-0 before posting a 10-2 win over Minot State in nonconference softball action. Dickinson State used timely execution and a complete-game effort in the circle to secure the shutout against Dakota Wesleyan.
The Blue Hawks scored in the first inning after reaching on a walk and advancing via a sacrifice bunt before an RBI groundout produced the opening run. Dickinson State added to its lead in the third inning when a single plated another run following consecutive base hits. The margin extended to three in the fifth as a double drove in a run after a leadoff extra-base hit.
Dickinson State finished with nine hits. Celina Wilharm recorded three hits and scored three runs, while Kiley Hubby drove in two runs on three hits. Brooke Lijewski added an RBI and Octavia Meyer contributed a hit and a walk.
Hope Fath earned the win, throwing a complete game while allowing four hits and striking out 11 without surrendering a run. Dakota Wesleyan threatened early with a leadoff double in the first inning, but Dickinson State cut down the runner at the plate and did not allow another scoring opportunity.
In the second game, Dickinson State broke open a close contest with a seven-run sixth inning to defeat Minot State.
Minot State scored first in the opening frame on an RBI single, but Dickinson State responded in the bottom half when Brooke Lijewski doubled to drive in the tying run. Minot State regained a 2-1 advantage in the third inning before Dickinson State answered again. A bunt single and subsequent advancement on a wild pitch allowed the tying run to score, and Stocktyn Stevenson followed with an RBI single to give Dickinson State a 3-2 lead.
The score remained unchanged until the sixth inning when Dickinson State produced six hits to pull away. Octavia Meyer opened the frame with a triple and scored on a single by Bailee Mitchell. Stevenson delivered another RBI single before Celina Wilharm doubled to bring home three runs. Lijewski capped the inning with a two-run home run, extending the lead to 10-2.
Dickinson State totaled 12 hits in the game. Stevenson finished with three hits and two RBIs, Wilharm drove in three runs, and Lijewski contributed three RBIs including the home run. Mitchell added two hits and an RBI.
Ava Jahner earned the victory, allowing two runs on eight hits across six innings.
"I'm proud of the way the team competed today," said Head Coach Kristen Fleury. "Hope set the tone in game one with another strong pitching performance, giving up only four hits and striking out 11. Ava followed it up in game two versus Minot. Behind them, our defense stepped up and made some big-time defensive plays. I felt when the opposing teams got runners on base we didn't panic and moved on to the next out. Offensively we put the ball in play and had some loud hits to score some runs. Excited to get back on the field again tomorrow."
Dickinson State returns to action tomorrow against Concordia College (5:00pm MT) and University of Jamestown (7:00pm MT).
