Van Luchene's gem, and Wilharm's bat, help DSU split with SAGU-AIC

Tucson, Ariz. – Dickinson State split with SAGU – AIC to start their week in Arizona, dropping game one, 5-4, before coming out on top, 4-3, in game two.

Game One – SAGU-AIC 5 DSU 4

A four-run top of the first inning for SAGU-AIC put them in control of the game early, as DSU was forced to play from behind the whole game. Starting pitcher Trent Richter settled in after a rocky first, going five innings and allowing five runs (4 earned) on five hits with one walk and seven strikeouts, but was saddled with the loss.

DSU got a run back in the bottom of the first on a sacrifice fly by John-Michael Gonzalez Jr, but struggled to get the big hit all game, as they left runners in scoring position multiple times.

A solo home run by Kaiden Reeve in the fourth inning made it 4-2, but the Warriors answered back with an unearned run in the top of the fifth on a passed ball to make the deficit three runs again.

The Blue Hawks again rallied in the sixth inning, getting RBI singles from Wyatt Wilharm and Clay Prell, but would again strand the bases loaded with the tying run just 90 feet away.

In the seventh, the Blue Hawks got the tying run to second base with nobody out, but a fielder's choice one batter later erased the threat and DSU never got a runner to second base again.

Wilharm led the offense, going 3-3 with two doubles and an RBI in the game. Jacob Scully continued his strong string of relief appearances, going 2.0 innings and allowing no runs on two hits.

Game Two DSU 4 SAGU-AIC 3

The Blue Hawks finally snapped their eight-game losing streak, as Cooper Van Luchene twirled a complete game gem to earn the victory. Van Luchene went all 7 innings, allowing 3 runs (2 earned), on six hits while striking out 3 and walking just one.

The Warriors again took an early lead, scoring one in the first to lead 1-0 after one complete, but RBI singles from Alberto Nieto and Kaiden Reeve in the second inning put DSU ahead for good.

Keanu Calamayan stretched the Blue Hawk lead with a solo home run to lead off the third inning, but SAGU-AIC answered back in the bottom of the fourth inning with a triple and a single to lead off the inning.

An RBI single from Wilharm pushed the lead back to two, 4-2, but a passed ball in the bottom half of the inning allowed the Warriors to get back within one, 4-3, heading into the final two frames.

Van Luchene continued to work, however, finishing his seven-inning complete game in just 69 pitches to slam the door and seal the win for DSU.