BILLINGS, Mont. - The Dickinson State softball team was forced to play its weekend doubleheaders in Billings, but won’t return home empty handed.
The University of Great Falls (Mont.) took the opening game 3-2, but the Blue Hawks retaliated with a 12-9 victory over Presentation College (S.D.) on Saturday.
The Argos scored all three of their runs in the top of the third when pitcher Kirstie Thomas ripped a three-run home run to center. Thompson went 2 for 2 with a run and three RBI on offense and also picked up the win in the circle. Thompson allowed seven hits and two runs over five innings.
DSU’s Regan Lawrence completed the game with four hits, three runs, four walks and four strikeouts.
The Blue Hawks’ runs were scored by Tiffany Morgan and Alex Vargas. Morgan went 1 for 2 with a RBI, while Vargas finished 2 for 4.
DSU avoided the sweep by piling on runs early against Presentation.
The Blue Hawks scored all 12 runs in the first four innings and did the most damage in the first with five runs on five hits. Brianna Grayson highlighted the inning with a RBI triple.
Vargas led the way going 3 for 4 with a double, three runs and two RBI while Grayson went 2 for 3 with two runs and a RBI.
With DSU up 12-1, the Saints woke up in the top of the fourth and scored seven unanswered runs to close the gap to four.
Hailey Haukeli hit a grand slam to center which forced DSU starting pitcher Morgan out of the game. Morgan finished with five earned runs on six hits.
Lawrence came in relief and gave up a three-run home run to Brenda Botzenhart, who went 3 for 4 with three runs and four RBI. Kaukeli added four RBI and a run.
DSU plays Great Falls and Presentation in another doubleheader today. Game 1 against the Argos starts at 11 a.m. and Game 2 is scheduled for 1 p.m.
University of Great Falls (Mont.) 3, Dickinson State 2
UGF 003 000 0 - 3 4 1
DSU 010 010 0 - 2 9 0
UGF, Kirstie Thomas, Keeley Van Blaricom (6) and Brittany Franklin. DSU, Regan Lawrence and Brianna Grayson.
W–Thomas. L–Lawrence. HR–Thomas.
Highlights: UGF, Thomas 2 for 3, HR, 2B, 3 RBI, run; Morgan Robinson 0 for 3, run; Regan Rucks 1 for 4, run. DSU, Rebecca Lopez 1 for 2, run; Alex Vargas 2 for 4, RBI; Lawrence 1 for 2, run; Tiffany Morgan, 1 for 2, 2B, RBI.
Dickinson State 12, Presentation College (S.D.) 9
UGF 100 700 1 - 9 11 2
DSU 542 100 X - 12 16 0
UGF, Danielle Naumann and Jacque Trost. DSU, Morgan, Lawrence (4) and Grayson
W– Morgan. L– Naumann. HR–Brenda Botzenhart (2), Hailey Haukeli.
Highlights: UGF, Botzenhart 3 for 4, HR, 4 BRI, 3 runs; Haukeli 1 for 2, HR, 4 RBI, run; Shelby Anderson 1 for 4, run; Kassidy Rauch 1 for 3, SB, run; Jacque 1 for 3, run. DSU, Vargas 3 for 4, 2B, 3 runs, 2 RBI; Morgan 3 for 4, 2 RBI, run; Lawrence 2 for 4, 2 runs, RBI; Lindsey Sullivan 2 for 4, 2 RBI, run; Monique Yslas 2 for 3, 2B, run, RBI; Samantha BEssey 1 for 1, run.
