ABERDEEN, S.D. - The Dickinson State softball team suffered two losses to open its season Saturday, losing 7-5 to Valley City State and 7-0 to Morningside at the Presentation College Dome.
Against Valley City State, the Blue Hawks got on the board early thanks to a pair of two-run home runs in the bottom of the first inning, one from senior second baseman Alex Vargas and another from junior catcher Brianna Grayson.
That lead stood up until the third inning when the Vikings tagged Blue Hawks sophomore pitcher Alex Watson for five runs, all coming with two outs.
DSU got a run back on a solo home run from freshman first baseman Amanda Flores in the bottom of the fifth, but VCSU answered in the next half inning, scoring runs on a sacrifice fly from Katie Cameron and a home run from Cejay Hilhorst.
The Blue Hawks went down in order in both the sixth and seventh innings.
Watson went 2 2/3 innings and allowed eight hits with five strikeouts. Freshman Abi Brooks relieved her in the circle, going the rest of the way and also striking out five.
In their first game, the Blue Hawks struck out 11 times and only managed five hits against the Mustangs.
Morningside pitcher Aubrey Voboril went the distance, giving up just a double and four singles with no walks while not allowing a DSU player to advance past second base.
Vargas, Grayson and Flores each picked up a hit against Morningside, as did senior shortstop Monique Yslas and junior outfielder McKenzie Kenobbie.
VCSU 005 002 0 - 7 14 0
DSU 400 010 0 - 5 7 0
Morgan Nalley and Taylor Schroeder. Alex Watson and Abi Brooks (3) and Brianna Grayson.
W--Nalley. L- Brooks. HR- VCSU, Cejay Hilhorst, Nalley, Simone Meerkerk (2); DSU, Alex Vargas, Amanda Flores, Brianna Grayson.
Highlights: VCSU, Hilhorst 2 for 4, RBI; Nalley 2 for 4, 3 RBI, run; Kelsey Hamade 3 for 4, 2 SB. DSU, Grayson 2 for 3, 2 RBI, HR; Vargas 1 for 3, 2 RBI, HR; Flores 1 for 2, RBI, HR.
DSU 000 000 0 - 0 5 1
MC 003 202 0 - 7 13 0
Abi Brooks and Amanda Flores (3) and Brianna Grayson. Aubrey Voboril and Elin Landgren.
W- Voboril. L - Flores. HR- none.
Highlights: DSU, Monique Yslas 1 for 2, SB; Alex Vargas 1 for 3, 2B. MC, Rachel Koch 3 for 4, 2 runs, 2B. McKenzie Anderson, 3 for 4, 2 RBI.
