HELENA, M.T. — Dickinson State secured a sweep of University of Providence in a conference doubleheader, using a strong offensive showing in game one and consistent pitching to complete the two-game set.
In the opener, Dickinson State (15-11) used a five-run second inning to take control in a 6-2 victory.
After a scoreless first inning, the Blue Hawks broke through with timely hitting and aggressive baserunning. Brooke Lijewski opened the scoring with a solo home run to left field. Later in the inning, Stocktyn Stevenson delivered a two-run single, and Octavia Meyer added a two-run single to cap the frame and give Dickinson State a 5-0 lead.
The Blue Hawks added another run in the fourth inning when Kiley Hubby hit a solo home run to extend the advantage to 6-0.
University of Providence responded with single runs in the fourth and fifth innings, but Dickinson State limited further damage. Ava Jahner earned the win, allowing two runs on four hits over five innings. Hope Fath closed out the final two innings in relief, striking out three and not allowing a hit.
Stevenson led the offense with two hits and two RBIs, while Lijewski recorded three hits and drove in one run. Meyer added two RBIs in the win.
In game two, Dickinson State (16-11) built an early lead but fell short in an 8-7 loss.
The Blue Hawks opened the scoring in the first inning when Celina Wilharm came around to score on an RBI single by Kiley Hubby. Dickinson State extended the lead in the second inning with four runs on five hits.
Stevenson highlighted the inning with a two-run single, and Wilharm followed with a two-run single to push the lead to 5-0.
Carroll responded with a solo home run in the second inning and added two runs in the fourth to cut the deficit to 6-3. Dickinson State answered in the fourth and fifth innings with single runs, including an RBI single from Brooke Lijewski and another run driven in by Jessa Duggan to take a 7-3 lead.
The Saints mounted a comeback in the fifth inning, scoring four runs on five hits to tie the game at 7-7. The rally was highlighted by a two-run triple that evened the score.
After a scoreless sixth inning, Carroll completed the comeback in the seventh. A leadoff single and subsequent RBI hit provided the go-ahead run, handing Dickinson State the loss.
Reagan King took the loss after allowing the late run in the seventh inning. The Blue Hawks totaled 12 hits in the game, with Jaydin Sabol and Duggan each recording three hits.
Dickinson State will continue conference play on Tuesday against Bismarck State College at 1:00pm.
