Blue Hawks win first home series of the year, 3-1, over Waldorf

Dickinson, N.D. – Dickinson State finally had their first home series of the season over the weekend, going 3-1 against Waldorf University in North Star Athletic Association play. The Blue Hawks swept day one, 5-1 and 13-11, before the two teams split on day two, with Waldorf winning 4-3 and DSU taking the finale 7-2.

Game One – DSU 5 WU 1

Dickinson State jumped out to a 3-0 first inning lead thanks to RBI hits by Kiley Hubby and Bailey Hansen, and scored one run in both the second and third innings thanks to Waldorf errors, to take game one.

The Warriors outhit the Blue Hawks, 7-6, but four WU errors aided DSU. Dallis Mitchell worked around those seven hits to pitch all seven innings, allowing just one run to earn the complete game victory.

Hubby was the only Blue Hawk with multiple hits, going 2-3 with a double and an RBI, while Mitchell also added a double at the plate.

Game Two – DSU 13 WU 11

DSU erased a huge early deficit to stun Waldorf in game two and earn the Friday sweep to cap off a great home opening night.

The Warriors led 10-3 after three innings, scoring three, four, and three runs across the first three frames. However, after getting a scoreless top of the fourth from relief pitcher Alison Eldridge, the DSU offense exploded.

The inning started with a fly out by Cassidy Venner, but then the Blue Hawks had nine consecutive batters reach base to tie the game at 10-10. Kara Conway started the rally with a triple, and was followed by hits from Jessa Duggan, HaiLeigh Davis, Cassy Loa, Dallis Mitchell, and Kiley Hubby. Karissa Comer then walked and was followed by RBI hits from Bailey Hansen and Venner to complete the comeback.

Waldorf immediately responded with a run of their own to regain the lead, 11-10, but Hubby double home Mitchell in the bottom half of the inning to tie the game again. Eldredge worked a perfect sixth inning, and Alexis Kappel, pinch running for Venner, who singled, scored on a throwing error by Waldorf to take the lead for good. Davis added an insurance run two batters later, doubling home Duggan who had singled.

Eldredge then retired the side in order in the seventh to seal the win for DSU.

Game Three – WU 4 DSU 3

Waldorf scored a pair of runs in both the fourth and fifth innings and held DSU to just three runs in the fifth, to steal game three, 4-3.

RBI singles from HaiLeigh Davis and Cassy Loa provided all the runs for the Blue Hawks after a two-out error by Waldorf kept the inning alive.

With Davis on second base after a steal, the Blue Hawks were down to their last out in the seventh when Loa singled the other way. Davis tried to score on the play, but a terrific play from Waldorf got the out at home, ending the game.

Game Four – DSU 7 WU 2

The Blue Hawks continued to hit the ball well at home, racing out to a 4-0 first inning lead thanks to RBI hits from Kiley Hubby and Karissa Komer, as they cruised to a 7-*2 victory to seal the series win.

Dallis Mitchell added a run in the bottom of the second inning with a solo home run, and the Blue Hawks got single runs in both the fourth and fifth innings thanks to a Waldorf error and a fielder's choice from Cassidy Venner.

Mitchell earned her second win in the circle for the week, going all seven innings once again, allowing just two runs, both in the seventh inning, on five hits while striking out six.