JAMESTOWN, N.D. — Dickinson State University earned two victories Saturday in Jamestown, defeating Concordia College 11-3 before rallying past University of Jamestown 4-3 in nonconference softball action.
Dickinson State opened the day with an 11-3 win over Concordia in five innings.
The Blue Hawks scored in the first inning when Celina Wilharm reached after being hit by a pitch, advanced on a steal and error, and came home on an RBI single by Brooke Lijewski. Dickinson State added four runs in the second. A bunt single and stolen base set up an RBI single from Ashlee Potter. Wilharm followed with an RBI single, and two additional runs scored on a fielding error.
After Concordia was held scoreless through four innings, Dickinson State extended the lead to 6-0 in the fourth when Wilharm scored on a throwing error.
Concordia scored three runs in the fifth on four hits, including an RBI double and a sacrifice fly, trimming the deficit to 6-3.
The Blue Hawks responded in the bottom half of the inning with five runs. Vienna Meyer delivered an RBI single before Allyson Farrington tripled to right field, driving in three runs. Wilharm capped the scoring with an RBI single to left, securing the 11-3 final.
Dickinson State totaled 11 hits. Wilharm finished 3-for-3 with two RBIs and three runs scored. Farrington recorded three RBIs, and Mitchell added two hits. Reannan Butler earned the win, allowing three runs over four innings. Hope Fath pitched the final inning in relief.
In the second game, Dickinson State scored four runs in the seventh inning to defeat Jamestown 4-3.
Jamestown took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on an RBI double and extended the advantage to 2-0 in the third on a sacrifice fly. A third run crossed in the sixth on an RBI single, giving Jamestown a 3-0 lead entering the final frame.
Dickinson State was limited to three hits through six innings before the rally in the seventh. Bailee Mitchell opened the inning with a double and advanced to third on a passed ball. Jessa Duggan was hit by a pitch and later stole second. Ashlee Potter singled to first base, driving in two runs to cut the deficit to 3-2.
Following a sacrifice bunt and a single by Stocktyn Stevenson, Kiley Hubby delivered a two-run single to center field, scoring Stevenson and Potter to give Dickinson State its first lead of the game at 4-3.
Jamestown placed a runner on in the bottom of the seventh, but Dickinson State recorded two fielder's choice outs to secure the win. Reagan King earned the complete-game victory, allowing three runs on nine hits over seven innings.
"I felt we started off the day slow in the first game and it took us too long to get going. We weren't playing the brand of softball we want to play," said Head Coach Kristen Fleury." Ri was pitching a great game and we let Concordia back in it. Im proud of how we responded in the bottom of the 5th offensively scoring 6 runs. One thing I think we have done a great job thus far this season is responding when a team scores and eliminating big innings.
In game two, to have freshman Reagan King on the mound and pitch like she did against a team like Jamestown is big time. She is a competitor and gave us an opportunity to win. We had a few opportunities early in the game with a hit here or there and just couldn't find it. Credit to Jamestown's pitcher for shutting us down most of the day. Another freshman, Bailee Mitchell started the top of the 7th with a bloop hit to center that she turned into a double and the team fed off that! Hubby got the 2 out , 2 RBI hit we were looking for all game.
Im really proud of how our defense played this weekend. They gave our pitchers confidence behind them. We have another big weekend next week and we look to continue to build off this momentum and get better everyday! "
The Blue Hawks will return to action next weekend at Sioux Center, Iowa.
