DSU softball splits with Jamestown, but both teams make AII Tournament

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JAMESTOWN — The Dickinson State softball team used a three-run seventh inning to avoid being swept in a four-game softball series against Jamestown College on Sunday.

Vanessa Adame scored on a passed ball after Janell LaRont knocked in two runs on a base hit to tie the first game of a doubleheader.

The Blue Hawks went on to win 4-3 but Jamestown won the second game 4-2 to secure their first-ever Dakota Athletic Conference regular-season title in the league’s finale year.

The Jimmies (24-17, 8-4 DAC) swept DSU to open the series Saturday. However, on Monday it was announced that both teams were selected to play in the Association of Independent Institutions postseason tournament that begins May 3 in Columbus, Ga.

The Blue Hawks (24-21, 8-4 DAC) and Jimmies will play at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 3 in the tournament opener.

“The hardest part is getting in,” DSU head coach Kristen Fleury said. “Anything can happen when you’re in. We know what we need to do against Jamestown. Getting them in the first round is only going to be beneficial to us.”

DSU freshman right-hander Regan Lawrence got the win in the first game, scattering seven hits and giving up two earned runs while striking out four. Jamestown’s Jessica Lees suffered the loss.

The Jimmies turned to righty D.J. Johnson to clip the Blue Hawks in the second game. She gave up seven hits but struck out five without a walk in seven innings. Of her seven hits allowed, five came in the seventh inning when DSU scored both of its runs.

Jamestown used a two-run homer by Janelle Spear and a RBI double from Rachel Ivelia in the third inning to secure an early lead that DSU could not surmount.

Dani Benito drove in a run on a single and scored on Erika Nowack’s RBI single later in the inning.

Before they get to the AII tournament both DSU and Jamestown, along with Mayville State and Valley City State, will play in the final DAC Tournament on Saturday and Sunday in Mayville.

DSU 100 000 3 — 4 6 2

JC 101 001 0 — 3 7 2

Regan Lawrence and Britney Miller. Jessica Lees, Steph Bolt (7) and Kristi Michaud. W–Lawrence. L–Lees. HR–None.

Highlights: DSU, Taysia Kaufman 1-for-3, 2 runs; Vanessa Adame 1-for-2, run; Janell LaRont 1-for-3, 2 RBI; Regan Lawrence 2-for-3, 7 IP, 4 K, 2 BB, 2 ER, 7 H; Jessica Huseby 1-for-2, run. JC, Heather Haegele 1-for-3, run; Kelsie Jensen 1-for-2, RBI; Kate Johnson 1-for-2, RBI; Rachel Ivelia 1-for-3, RBI; Courtney Van Den Bussche 1-for-3, run.

DSU 000 000 2 — 2 7 1

JC 030 010 x — 4 4 1

Taysia Kaufman and Britney Miller. D.J. Johnson and Janelle Spear. W–Johnson. L–Kaufman. HR–JC, Spear.

Highlights: DSU, Taysia Kaufman 1-for-4; Vanessa Adame 1-for-3; Lindsey Sullivan 1-for-3; Dani Benito 1-for-3, RBI, run; Claudia Torres 2-for-3; Erika Nowack 1-for-3, RBI; Kaufman 6 IP, 1 K, 4 BB, 4 ER, 4 H. JC, Heather Haegele 1-for-3, RBI; Spear 1-for-2, HR, 2 RBI; Rachel Ivelia 1-for-3, 2B, RBI, run; Johnson 7IP, 5 K, 0 BB, 2 ER, 7 H.

Records: DSU 24-21, 8-4 DAC; JC 24-17, 8-4 DAC.

Tags: dsu blue hawks, blue hawks, jamestown college jimmies, sports, softball, updates