DSU nearly comes away with sweep

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TUSCON, Ariz. — The Dickinson State University softball team came up with some big hits, but fielding errors were costly.

The Blue Hawks breezed past Missouri Valley (Mo.) in the opening game, but lost to Lubbock Christian (Texas) in the nightcap at the Tucson Invitational.

“We came out and talked about getting the first win and using the momentum into the second game,” DSU head coach Kristen Fluery said.

DSU mounted a comeback to tie the game at 4-4 after the fifth inning, but Lubbock tacked on two runs in the sixth and an insurance run in the seventh.

The Blue Hawks piled up seven hits including Lindsey Sullivan’s two-run home run. However, DSU had three fielding errors.

“It was our second time around seeing Lubbock and we what they had on the plate and the mound,” Fluery said. “We knew we could beat them, but you can’t give good teams anything.”

To start the day, the Blue Hawks grabbed a 6-1 win against Missouri Valley. DSU’s Taysia Kaufman threw seven innings allowing one earned run and striking out seven.

On the offensive side, Janell LaRont and Kristy Ortiz each had two hits. Ortiz drove home two RBIs and knocked a double for the Blue Hawks lone extra hit of the game.

“We’re hitting it well,” Fluery said. “I think most importantly we just need to eliminate errors on defense.”

DSU faces Dordt College (Iowa) today at 1 p.m. and has a quick turnaround to play Mount Marty (S.D.) at 3 p.m.

Dickinson State 6, Missouri Valley 1

MV 000 010 0 — 1 6 1

DSU 040 020 x — 6 9 1

Kim Lopez and Hannah Garczynski. Taysia Kaufman and Claudia Torres. W–Kaufman (3-6). L–Lopez.

Highlights: DSU Kristy Ortiz 2-for-3, 2 RBI, 2B; Danielle Benito 1-for-3, 2 RBI; Tiffany Morgan 1-for-3, RBI; Jessica Huseby 1-for-3, RBI; Lindsey Sullivan 1-for-3; Claudia Torres 1-for-3. MV Hannah Garczynski 1-for-3, RBI; Esperanza Rothwell 1-for-2, SB; Kim Lopez 1-for-3; Mallory White 1-for-3; Jennifer Palmatory 1-for-3; Julianna Talancon 1-for-3.

Lubbock Christian 7, Dickinson State 4

LC 202 002 1 — 7 9 2

DSU 000 220 0 — 4 7 3

Meagan Navarrette, Sarah Mendez (7), and Marissa Coats. Regan Lawrence, Tiffany Morgan (4) and Claudia Torres. W–Navarrette. L–Morgan. HR–LC, Johnson Sullivan.

Highlights: LC Mendez 1-for-4, 5 RBI; Maddie Johnson 1-for-3, 2RBI; Brittany Kent, 2-for-4, 2B; McKenzie Clemmons, 1-for-4; Andrea Argee 1-for-3; Kim Frazier 1-for-4; Latainna Eltsosie 1-for-4; Coats 1-for-2. DSU Lindsey Sullivan 1-for-3, 2 RBI; Jessica Huesby 1-for-3, 2 RBI; Danielle Benito 1-for-3; Janell LaRont 1-for-2; Kristy Ortiz 1-for-4; Tiffany Morgan 1-for-3; Taysia Kaufman 1-for-3.

Tags: college softball, blue hawks, sports