Blue Hawks Walk Off Ends Trojans Season in NSAA Tournament

Dickinson State registered the final four runs, earning a walk off victory against the Dakota State softball team in the NSAA Tournament this weekend, ending the Trojans season.

After a pair of scoreless innings, Dakota State kicked off the game with three runs scored sparked by Michelle Evdos’ double in the top of the third. Rosie Philop followed up with an RBI single to give Trojans a 1-0 lead. 

The Trojans added two more runs off of defensive errors to extend their lead to 3-0. The Blue Hawks answered back in the bottom of the inning, and trimmed their deficit to 3-1. 

Dickinson State then trimmed Dakota State’s lead to 3-2 in the bottom fourth, before tying the game up in the sixth at 3-3. 

The Trojans were unable to convert their scoring chances in the top seventh inning after leaving runners on third and second base with one out. The Blue Hawks did not score in the bottom half of the seventh with one runner left on base, extending the game into extra innings.

Both teams did not score in the eighth inning.

With runners on third and second bases with two outs, Dallis Mitchell hit a walk-off RBI single to score a Blue Hawk and secure the 4-3 victory.

Mason Usselman was 3-of-4 at the plate with three singles for Dakota State.  Evdos added two doubles. Philop had a single and two RBIs. Carrington Entringer had a hit and a walk. 

Paiva, Martinez, Venner, and Kuntz each tallied two hits for Dickinson State. Martinez, Mitchell, Venner, and Kuntz each recorded an RBI.

Sophia Cordova (L, 4-7) started the game and entered the game, taking the setback in the pitching circle for the Trojans. She pitched 5 1/3 total innings and allowed two runs (one unearned) on eight hits. Maycee Bricker worked for 3 1/3 innings in relief, giving up two runs on six hits.

Martinez (W, 7-8) collected her third pitching win in the conference postseason tournament, tossing a one-hitter in three innings in relief for the Blue Hawks. Alexa Kappel started the game, working for six innings. She allowed three runs (one unearned) on six hits and recorded five strikeouts.

The Trojans ended their season with a 15-34 overall record.