April 19, 2019
DICKINSON, N.D. – Dickinson State (N.D.) limited Dakota State (S.D.) to one run Friday afternoon, opening up the North Star Athletic Association softball four-game series with a doubleheader sweep at North Softball Complex. The Blue Hawks won the first game by the score of 8-0 in five innings, followed by another victory in the second game by the score of 6-1.
Dakota State fell to 8-27 overall record and 5-15 NSAA conference record. Dickinson State improved to 19-20 overall record and 9-11 record in league play.
Both teams close out their conference's four-game series Saturday afternoon with another doubleheader. First game is set to start at 1 p.m. (Central Time)/12 p.m. Mountain Time).
Game 1 – Dickinson State (N.D.) 8, Dakota State (S.D.) 0 – FINAL/5 innings
Dickinson State held Dakota State to just one hit in the NSAA's four-game series opener, cruising to an 8-0 victory that ended in the bottom fifth frame.
The Blue Hawks had two players reached safely on base caused by Trojans' defensive errors. Whitney Mesi produced an RBI single to score Claire Shoffit to give DiSU its first lead of the game at 1-0 with two outs.
Andrea Rodriguez and Sonja Lawrence led off the bottom third with back-to-back singles for Dickinson State. Rodriguez and Lawrence each advanced one base after a sacrifice bunt by Shoffit. Mesi hit a 2-RBI single with two outs to extend DiSU's lead to 3-0.
Nicole Stewart extended her hitting streak to nine game with a single in the top fourth inning for DSU.
Caitlyn Welch started the bottom fourth with a bunt single. She advanced to second base by Emilie Sickler's sacrifice bunt. The Blue Hawks made it 4-0 when Rodriguez hit an RBI single to score Welch.
Dickinson State exploded for four runs in the bottom fifth inning. Jaya Allen led off with a solo home run to make it 5-0 in favor of the Blue Hawks. Mesi followed up with a single. Kayla Stephens reached safely on base by DaSU's defensive miscue and advanced Mesi to second base. Rhea Paiva hit an RBI single with two outs to score Mesi to extend Blue Hawks' lead to 6-0.
Rodriguez drilled an RBI double to score Stephens and Paiva as the Blue Hawks secured the victory due to eight-run mercy rule.
DiSU outhit DaSU 11-1 in the game.
Stewart led the Trojans with a single in the game.
Mesi went 3-of-3 at the plate with three singles and drove in three runs for the Blue Hawks. Rodriguez added a double, two singles and three RBIs. Lawrence had two singles. Allen had a home run and an RBI. Eight players scored a run in the game.
Xitlali Lopez (L, 4-9) took the loss in the pitching circle for Dakota State. She gave up eight runs (four unearned) on 11 hits.
Allen (W, 9-12) pitched a complete game victory for Dickinson State. She yielded the Trojans to one hit and recorded five strikeouts.
Game 2 – Dickinson State (N.D.) 6, Dakota State 1 – FINAL
Dakota State grabbed the first lead of the game in the second game of the four-game series. Stewart smashed a solo home run with two outs in the top first inning to give DaSU a 1-0 lead.
It was Stewart's fourth home run this season, extending her all-time school record to 20 home runs.
The Blue Hawks answered with a un in the bottom second inning. Mesi led off with a single and advanced to third base when Abi Brooks reached safely caused by Trojans' defensive miscue. Stephens hit an RBI single to score Mesi to knot the game at 1-1.
Rodriguez led off the bottom third with a single. She advanced to second base after DaSU's passed ball. Shoffit produced an RBI single to score Rodriguez as the Blue Hawks earned a 2-1 lead over the Trojans.
Dakota State was unable to convert their scoring chances in the top fourth, despite getting singles by Lopez, Tatum Ronke and Taylor Poe to set up bases loaded situation.
DiSU plated three runs in the bottom half of the fourth inning, highlighted by Lawrence's RBI triple to make it 5-1.
Stephens hit an RBI single to extend Dickinson State's lead to 6-1 in the bottom fifth.
Poe was 2-of-3 at the plate with two singles for Dakota State. Stewart had a home run and an RBI, extending her hitting streak to 10 games. Sarah Torres had a double. Quinn Motichka, Lopez, Ronke and Madison Aldendifer each had a single. Motichka swiped one base.
Stephens went 3-of-3 at the plate with a double, two singles and two RBIs for Dickinson State. Lawrence added a triple and an RBI. Welch had a double. Rodriguez had two singles and an RBI. Shoffit recorded three hits and an RBI.
The Blue Hawks tallied 12 hits in the game compared to the Trojans eight hits. DiSU left eight runners on base while DaSU had seven runners left on base.
Stefan Gollin (L, 3-8) recorded the setback, despite tossing a complete game for Dakota State. She allowed six runs (two unearned) on 12 hits. She recorded four strikeouts.
Brooks (W, 9-7) earned the victory in the pitching circle for Dickinson State. She tossed four innings and gave up one run on six hits. Allen worked for three scoreless innings in relief, limiting the Trojans to two hits. She registered five strikeouts.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
