TUCSON — Dickinson State split a pair of games Saturday at the Tucson Invitational Games, falling 2-0 to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University before rebounding with a 2-0 win over Indiana Tech.
The Blue Hawks moved to 10-6 overall after the two contests.
Dickinson State was limited to one hit as Embry-Riddle claimed the opener.
Celina Wilharm recorded the Blue Hawks' only hit with a single, while Dickinson State drew five walks but was unable to produce a run against Embry-Riddle pitcher Claire Streeter, who struck out 11 in a complete-game effort.
Both teams were scoreless through three innings before Embry-Riddle broke through in the fourth. Katie Jamieson reached base and later scored when Jade Bayless hit a two-run home run to left field, giving the Eagles a 2-0 lead.
That would be the only scoring of the game.
Dickinson State threatened in the early innings, placing runners on base in the first and third. Stocktyn Stevenson opened the game by reaching on a hit-by-pitch and later stole second, but the Blue Hawks were unable to capitalize. In the third, Jessa Duggan was hit by a pitch and stole second before another strikeout ended the inning.
Brooke Lijewski reached base three times with two walks and a hit-by-pitch to help pace the Dickinson State offense.
Reagan King started in the circle for the Blue Hawks and allowed two runs on six hits in five innings while striking out one. Reannan Butler pitched the final two innings in relief and struck out three while holding the Eagles without a hit.
The Blue Hawks responded in the second game behind a strong pitching performance from Butler.
Butler tossed a complete-game shutout, allowing three hits while striking out one and not issuing a walk in seven innings.
The game remained scoreless until Dickinson State broke through in the fourth inning. Brooke Lijewski doubled to center field to start the rally and was replaced on the bases by Izzy Kelly. After Kiley Hubby reached on an error, Octavia Meyer delivered an RBI single to right field that allowed Kelly to score and gave the Blue Hawks a 1-0 lead.
Dickinson State added an insurance run in the sixth. Wilharm singled up the middle and advanced to second on a stolen base. Hubby followed with a double down the left-field line that brought Wilharm home to extend the lead to 2-0.
The Blue Hawks finished with five hits in the game. Meyer led the offense with two hits and an RBI, while Hubby recorded a double and drove in a run. Lijewski also added a double.
Butler and the Dickinson State defense kept Indiana Tech off the scoreboard throughout the contest. The Warriors put a runner in scoring position in the second inning following a double from Kiersten Delaney, but Butler retired the next two batters to end the threat.
Indiana Tech finished with three hits in the game, while Savannah Bravo took the loss after allowing two runs on five hits with 10 strikeouts.
Dickinson State will continue play at the Tucson Invitational against Viterbo University (12:00PM MT) and William Penn (JV) (2:30pm).
