SIOUX CENTER— Dickinson State dropped a pair of games Thursday at the ASB Dome, falling 3-2 to Northwestern in the opener before coming up short 3-2 against Dakota Wesleyan.
In the first game, Northwestern used a three-run first two innings to hold off a late Dickinson State rally.
Northwestern struck in the bottom of the first. After a leadoff walk and stolen base, Tatum Schmalbec singled down the left-field line to put runners at second and third. A bunt fielder's choice by Ava Gross brought in the first run, and a throwing play allowed Schmalbec to score for a 2-0 lead. In the second, Cassidy Gors singled and later scored on a bases-loaded walk to extend the lead to 3-0.
Dickinson State was limited early but broke through in the sixth. Stocktyn Stevenson led off the inning with a home run to left, trimming the deficit to 3-1. Two batters later, Hubby connected on a solo home run to center to make it 3-2.
The Blue Hawks put the tying run on base later in the inning. Octavia Meyer walked and advanced on a wild pitch, and Jessa Duggan reached on an error to load the bases with two outs. Northwestern reliever Tatum Schmalbec induced a groundout to end the threat and later retired the side in order in the seventh to secure the save.
Hubby finished 2-for-3 with a double and a home run. Stevenson added a solo homer, while Brooke Lijewski doubled. Dickinson State recorded five hits and did not commit an error.
Hope Fath took the loss, allowing three earned runs in 1 1/3 innings. Reannan Butler provided 4 2/3 scoreless innings in relief, scattering two hits.
In the second game, Dakota Wesleyan used three solo home runs to edge Dickinson State 3-2.
Elle Feser opened the scoring with a solo home run in the second inning. Macy Moore added a solo shot in the third, and Jaycee Tebay homered in the fourth to push the lead to 3-0.
Dickinson State responded in the fourth. Celina Wilharm singled and later scored on an error by the right fielder to make it 3-1. The Blue Hawks added another run in the fifth when Ashlee Potter singled and stole second. Stevenson followed with a single, and an error by the second baseman allowed Potter to score, cutting the deficit to 3-2.
The Blue Hawks threatened in the seventh. Allyson Farrington walked and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Bailee Mitchell. With two outs, Potter struck out swinging to end the game.
Stevenson and Potter each had a hit in the loss, and Wilharm added a single. Dickinson State was limited to four hits but turned two double plays defensively.
Ava Jahner was charged with the loss, allowing three earned runs over three innings. Reagan King worked four scoreless innings in relief, giving up two hits and striking out two.
Dickinson State returns to action this weekend as play continues in Sioux Center.
