Sagan Osborne – Dickinson State Sports and Marketing Information Director
Jamestown, N.D. – Dickinson State secured two victories in non-conference action, defeating Concordia-Moorhead 12-6 and rallying for an 8-7 extra-inning win over the University of Mary at the Nelson Family Bubble in Jamestown, N.D.
Against Concordia-Moorhead, Dickinson State (6-3) took control early, plating three runs in the first inning. Allyson Farrington and Celina Wilharm led off with singles before Baylee Berg reached on a fielder's choice, allowing Farrington to score. Cassidy Venner added an RBI single, and a throwing error allowed another run to cross, giving the Blue Hawks a 3-0 lead.
Dickinson State extended its advantage to 5-0 in the second when Jersi Morse singled and eventually scored on Wilharm's groundout, followed by a defensive miscue that brought home Farrington. The Cobbers got on the board in the bottom half, but the Blue Hawks answered with a three-run fourth. Berg and Wilharm each drove in runs, and Kara Conway's groundout made it 8-1.
The Cobbers (1-1) fought back in the fourth when a grand slam cut the lead to 8-5. However, Dickinson State responded with a run in the fifth off Morse's bunt single and added insurance in the sixth and seventh with RBI hits from Bailey Hansen, Wilharm, and Berg.
Hope Fath started in the circle, allowing one earned run on seven hits over 3.2 innings. Ava Jahner (3-0) earned the win in relief, holding the Cobbers to one unearned run and striking out three in 3.1 innings.
In the second game against the University of Mary, Dickinson State (7-3) rallied twice before winning in extra innings. The Marauders opened with two runs in the first on an RBI double and single, but the Blue Hawks answered in the third. Wilharm's RBI single scored Jersi Morse, and Berg tripled to bring home two more for a 3-2 lead.
The Marauders tied it in the fourth with an RBI single, but Dickinson State regained control with two runs in the bottom half. Venner's RBI single put the Blue Hawks ahead, and Wilharm's infield single added another. A sacrifice fly from B. Lijewski in the sixth made it 6-3.
University of Mary mounted a four-run rally in the seventh, capitalizing on a pair of doubles and an error to take a 7-6 lead. Dickinson State quickly responded in the bottom of the inning when Wilharm's single plated the tying run.
In the eighth, Jahner, who entered as a pinch-runner, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt before Hansen delivered the walk-off single to right.
Alison Eldridge started and went 6.2 innings, striking out six while allowing six earned runs. Reannan Butler (1-1) pitched 1.1 scoreless innings to earn the win.