TUCSON — Dickinson State used a nine-run third inning to rally past Viterbo for a 12-4 victory Sunday at the Tucson Invitational Games.
The Blue Hawks improved to 11-6 overall with the win.
Dickinson State trailed early after Viterbo scored four runs in the second inning. Ava Anderson delivered the key hit of the frame with a three-run triple to right field, and Elie Klar followed with an RBI single to give the V-Hawks a 4-1 lead.
The Blue Hawks answered with their largest offensive inning of the game in the bottom of the third.
Allyson Farrington started the rally with a single before Celina Wilharm cut the deficit with a two-run home run to left field. Dickinson State continued to apply pressure, loading the bases on a walk and an error before Emily Madrid drew a bases-loaded walk to tie the game at 4-4.
Bailee Mitchell then walked to force in another run, and Jersi Morse reached on a fielder's choice that allowed another run to score. Later in the inning, Wilharm delivered again with a three-run double to center field that pushed the Blue Hawks' advantage to 10-4.
Dickinson State finished the inning with nine runs despite recording only three hits in the frame.
Wilharm led the Blue Hawks offensively, going 4-for-4 with a home run, double and six RBIs. Farrington scored three runs and reached base twice, while Madrid added a hit and an RBI.
The Blue Hawks added two more runs in the sixth inning. Wilharm singled and later scored after advancing on a fielding error in left field. Later in the inning, Madrid reached on a pitcher's error that allowed Lilly Newsom to score and extend the lead to 12-4.
After allowing four runs in the second inning, Dickinson State pitching settled in to keep Viterbo off the scoreboard the rest of the game.
Hope Fath started in the circle for the Blue Hawks and worked 1.2 innings before Ava Jahner entered in relief. Jahner earned the win after pitching 4.1 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out three.
Viterbo finished with four hits in the game, including Anderson's triple and double.
Dickinson State collected eight hits and drew eight walks while taking advantage of five Viterbo errors.
The Blue Hawks will continue play at the Tucson Invitational Games later this week against Ottawa University-Arizona and Dakota Wesleyan University.
