By Chris Aarhus
Forum News Service
JAMESTOWN - Alex Huschka provided the shutdown pitching Dickinson needed after a rough first day.
Behind their right-hander’s four-hitter, the Roughriders ran away with a 10-0 eight-inning victory over Williston on Thursday afternoon at Jack Brown Stadium.
The loss eliminated Williston (20-31) from the Class AA state Legion tournament, while Dickinson (24-18) moves on to play Jamestown (11-28) at 2 p.m. today in another loser-out affair.
“We needed to come out here and take care of business,” said Huschka, who piled up nine strikeouts without walking a batter in the complete-game effort. “I just tried to get ahead and stay ahead. Keep my pitch count low so I can be used later in the tournament. I threw my offspeed pitches for strikes and kept the ball low.”
Dickinson fell behind 8-0 vs. Fargo Post 2 on Wednesday, eventually losing 12-5, though it did cut the deficit to three runs at one point.
“That was definitely heartbreaking,” Huschka said. “Staying in the winner’s bracket is easier. You’re gonna have more arms. But, we’re gonna have to work our way from the loser’s bracket.”
Dickinson coach Cory Hansen said his team looked more comfortable.
“We were real tight (Wednesday),” Hansen said. “We were playing not to make a mistake and once we did, it blew up. We were a lot more relaxed (Thursday).”
Huschka played a big part, sitting down seven in a row during the first four innings and retiring his final 10 hitters. He improved to 3-4 on the season.
“He’s had some rough outings - I’m glad he found the zone early in the game,” Hansen said. “I knew he was in rhythm the way he started the first inning.”
Dickinson scored two right away, as Lucas Jones and Cole Anderson had run-scoring hits in the first inning. They came back with two in the sixth thanks to a leadoff double from Anderson.
The five-run seventh broke the game wide open, as Dylan Skabo belted a solo shot to start the inning, which saw 10 batters come to the plate. Mark Erickson’s bloop single scored Tanner Hopfauf to end the game in the bottom of the eighth.
Williston’s Trenten Hove took the loss, pitching into the seventh.
Williston 000 000 00 - 0 4 2
Dickinson 200 002 51 - 10 10 1
Trenten Hove, Bradey Miller (7), Noah Haagenson (8) and Lane Huck. Alex Huschka and Mark Erickson. W-Huschka. L-Hove.
W, Hove 2 for 3, 2B. D, Huschka 8 IP, 0 R, 4 H, 0 walks, 9 Ks; Dylan Skabo 2 for 5, RBI, 2 runs; Cole Anderson 2 for 2, 3 walks, 2 runs, RBI; Brett Schweitzer 2 for 3, HBP, Kendall Jones 2 for 3, walk.
Records: Williston 20-31, Dickinson 24-18.
