DHS continues to maintain focus

Since the season started, the Dickinson High softball team has had high expectations.

Thus far, the Midgets have lived up to those expectations.

After Monday's 13-3 nonconference win against Dawson County, Mont., at Gress Softball Complex, the Midgets are now 13-2 on the season.

"Everybody throughout the whole lineup is hitting the ball," Dickinson junior shortstop Rachel Jahner said. "It doesn't matter if it's the top or bottom. We are all coming through at the right time."

During the course of this season, the Midgets have been tested both physically and mentally. Dickinson was physically tested in their two losses, which came from splits with Minot Ryan and Minot High.

However, it may be the mental toughness and focus the Midgets will rely on throughout the rest of the regular season and postseason.

In the 15 games of the regular season, Dickinson has totaled double-digit runs in eight games. Leadoff hitter Jahner, who is batting .429 with four doubles, one triple, 15 RBIs and 24 runs scored, said the team is just focusing each game at a time.

"We've been played well so far, but we have to keep that focus for every game and be ready every game," Jahner said. "We had to make sure to take it one pitch, one play and one hit at a time. Focus is one thing our coach (Bill Butterfield) stresses a lot. If we do that, we're going to be in fine shape."

In the game against Dawson County (4-6), the Midgets feel behind 3-2, but it wasn't long before they fought back. Dickinson responded with three-run third and fourth innings and put the nail in the coffin with a five-run sixth.

"We just got outhit today," Dawson County head coach Todd Naasz said. "The two starting pitchers threw the ball hard and they threw it in locations where we couldn't it."

Dickinson racked up 12 hits compared to Dawson County's four. Dickinson junior Haley Butterfield grabbed the win, while Madison Jahner came in for two scoreless innings of relief.

Batting this season has been one of Dickinson's strong suits. Mackee Hoffmann, who wasn't able to play last year after coming off ACL surgery, has returned this season and is making up for lost time. She is batting .442 with seven doubles, one triple and a home run with nine RBIs.

"We really hit the ball hard today," Dickinson head coach Bill Butterfield said.

Yet, it's Madi Steier that's packing the biggest punch at the plate. The senior left fielder has a .388 batting average, five doubles and two home runs for a team-high 22 RBIs. She also ranks second the team with 21 runs scored.

Leading the team in runs scored is senior centerfielder Jess Priebe. She has a .370 average with three doubles, seven RBIs and 24 runs scored.

The Midgets look to continue their trend of solid regular-season outings when they travel to Jamestown at 3:30 p.m. today.

"We're going over there to get some kids some playing time and work on some things," Bill Butterfield said. "It's going to be the host site of WDA and get used to playing on some of their fields."

DC 012 000 -- 3 4 3

Dickinson 203 305 -- 13 12 3

Payton Schieffer, Sarah Temple (5). Haley Butterfield, Madison Jahner (5) and Mackee Hoffmann. W-Butterfield. L-Schieffer. HR-Name.

Highlights: DC, Allie Mittlestadt 2-for-3, run; Jade Marquart 1-for-3; Schieffer 1-for-2. D, Rachel Jahner 3-for-5, 2 RBIs, 3 runs; Jess Priebe 2-for-3, RBI, 3 runs; Hoffman 2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBIs; Butterfield 2-for-2, 2 RBIs; Rianna Cooper 1-for-2, RBI, run; M. Jahner 1-for-2; Madi Steier 1-for-4, run; Brianna Farnsworth RBI, run; Jenna Tomchuk run; Emilee Sickler run; Avery Privratsky run; Lexi Yates run .

Records: DC 4-6, D 13-2