Sagan Osborne – Dickinson State Sports and Marketing Information Director
Tucson, Ariz. – Dickinson State shut down Salve Regina in a dominant 4-0 victory Tuesday morning at Lincoln Park in Tucson, Arizona. The Blue Hawks controlled the game from the start, using steady offense and a standout pitching performance from Alison Eldridge to secure the shutout win.
Eldridge was in complete control in the circle, throwing a one-hitter over seven innings while striking out four and allowing just one walk. She retired the first six batters she faced and kept the Salve Regina offense off balance throughout the game, forcing 10 groundouts.
Dickinson State struck early in the first inning. Allyson Farrington drew a walk to open the game and moved to second on a wild pitch. Celina Wilharm capitalized with an RBI single through the left side, giving the Blue Hawks a 1-0 lead.
Jersi Morse added to the lead in the third, leading off with a single and advancing on a sacrifice bunt. Brooke Lijewski drove in Morse with a single to center, pushing the advantage to 2-0.
The Blue Hawks extended their lead in the sixth inning, taking advantage of a Salve Regina defensive miscue. Ava Jahner doubled to left before a walk to HaiLeigh Davis put two runners on. A ground ball from Wilharm forced an error at shortstop, allowing Jahner to score and make it 3-0.
In the seventh, Dickinson State added one more insurance run. Baylee Berg led off with a double and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. A lineout to left field resulted in a throwing error, allowing Jessa Duggan, who pinch ran for Berg, to cross home plate for a 4-0 final.
The Blue Hawks tallied nine hits in the contest, led by Wilharm, who finished 2-for-3 with an RBI. Morse, Lijewski, Jahner, Berg, Farrington, Davis, and Hansen each recorded a hit.
Salve Regina's offense struggled to generate opportunities, managing just one hit, a seventh-inning single from Anna Fernandez. The Seahawks' lone runner in scoring position came in the third inning after a hit-by-pitch, but Eldridge quickly erased the threat with a double play.
Salve Regina starter Caitlyn Peterson took the loss despite going the distance. She allowed nine hits and four runs—two earned—over seven innings while striking out six and walking four.