Sagan Osborne – Dickinson State Sports and Marketing Information Director
Peoria, Ariz. – Dickinson State outlasted Nelson University in a high-scoring battle, securing a 15-14 victory in Peoria, Arizona.
The Blue Hawks took an early lead in the first inning when Logan Braaten scored on a wild pitch. Nelson responded with single runs in the second, third, and fourth innings to go up 3-1.
In the fifth, Dickinson State tied the game. Jerry Santiago doubled to drive in Ty Farwell, and Cameron Erickson followed with an RBI single, scoring Santiago. Nelson quickly reclaimed the lead in the bottom half, capitalizing on a two-run home run by Zach Walsh.
The Blue Hawks' offense surged in the seventh. Braaten and Santiago each reached base and scored on defensive miscues. Jadyn Roberts launched a three-run home run to give Dickinson State an 8-7 lead. Santiago added an RBI single to cap off a six-run inning.
Nelson battled back with two runs in the bottom half to tie the game at 9-9.
Dickinson State responded immediately in the eighth. Roberts homered again, a two-run shot, and Farwell followed with a three-run blast. Santiago later scored on a wild pitch, extending the lead to 15-9.
Nelson mounted a late rally, scoring five runs in the bottom of the eighth, but Dickinson State held on. Dax Chitty earned the win in relief, and Rogelio Gonzalez closed the game to pick up the save.
The Blue Hawks finished with 16 hits. Santiago went 5-for-5 with two RBIs, Roberts had two home runs and five RBIs, and Farwell recorded three hits and three RBIs.