DICKINSON--Both the Dickinson State and University of Jamestown softball teams were looking to remain perfect in the North Star Athletic Association.
The Jimmies wanted it more.
Jamestown has won 10 straight after sweeping the Blue Hawks 2-1 and 5-3, though it needed extra innings to take game 2 on Friday at the North Softball Complex. The Jimmies (6-0 conference, 21-10 overall) took over the top spot in the conference.
"Our pitchers threw well, despite in the second game a couple missed pitches," DSU head coach Kristen Fleury said. "You got to give Jamestown credit, they fought back and to be honest it felt like they wanted it more than we did."
DSU (4-2, 23-7) held a 3-1 lead going into the top of the seventh inning. But Jamestown put on the pressure as Autumn Wang and Sydney Greenlund each hit solo home runs to tie the game. The Blue Hawks couldn't muster any offense in the bottom of the seventh which forced extra innings.
In the top of the eighth, Jamestown starting pitcher Brittany Rheault—who had been struggling at the plate going 0 for 3 in her previous at bats—drilled the game-winning two-run home run to left field. In the circle, Rheault picked up the win, giving up three runs on five hits and striking out nine in eight innings.
"Honestly, I was a little not happy (about) how I was doing in the circle after that one inning I gave up three runs, and I just went in with a bulldog mentality ... and then just wanted to go for it and that's what I did," Rheault said regarding her home run.
Jamestown head coach Kevin Gall toyed with the idea of pinch hitting for her instead of risking another out. But his gut feeling proved to be the wiser decision.
"She didn't have very good at bats early in the game and prior to her previous at-bat, I was thinking of pinch hitting for her," Gall said. "Then she lined out to the third baseman, (and I) thought let's go through with it again and the rest is history."
DSU scored both its runs in the third inning. DSU starting pitcher Alexzandria Watson relinquished five runs nine hits, walked one and struck out five batter in the loss.
In Game 1, Jamestown's pitching and defense kept DSU at bay for a majority of the game. The Blue Hawks didn't score their first run until the bottom of the sixth when catcher Claudia Torres hit a double to left and brought in Janell LaRont.
DSU starter Regan Lawrence was tagged with the loss, allowed two runs on five hits and had nine strikeouts in seven innings.
Jamestown's two runs came in the second inning. Jessica Snow tripled to left field but Torres dropped the throw to home and allowed pitcher Hanna Dunnigan to score. Snow scored on the next at-bat when Wang hit an RBI single.
The Jimmies play host to Dakota State today and Sunday. Both doubleheaders are set for 1 p.m. at Lyle Lawrence Field.
Jamestown 2, Dickinson State 1
UJ 020 000 0 — 2 5 0
DSU 000 001 0 — 1 4 0
UJ Hanna Dunnigan, Brittany Rheault (7) and Sydney Greenlund. DSU Regan Lawrence and Claudia Torres.
W—Dunnigan. L—Lawrence. Save—Rheault. HR—None.
Highlights: UJ Dunnigan 1 for 3, run; Jessica Snow 1 for 3, 3B, run, RBI, Autumn Wang 1 for 3, RBI. DSU Janell LaRont 1 for 3, run; Torres 1 for 2, 2B, RBI; Rebecca Lopez 1 for 4, 2B; Lawrence 1 for 2.
Jamestown 5, Dickinson State 3
UJ 001 000 22 — 5 9 0
DSU 003 000 00 — 3 5 0
UJ Brittany Rheault and Sydney Greenlund. DSU Alexzandria Watson and Claudia Torres.
W—Rheault. L—Watson. HR—UJ Autumn Wang, Greenlund, Rheault.
Highlights: UJ Rheault 1 for 4, HR, 2 RBI, run; Wang 1 for 4, HR, run, RBI; Greenlund 1 for 3, HR, run, RBI; Hanna Dunnigan 1 for 3, run; Brook Rheault 2 for 3, run; Emily Newman 2 for 4, RBI. DSU Rebecca Lopez 1 for 4, 2 RBI, run; Alex Vargas 2 for 4, 2B, RBI; McKenzie Kenobbie 1 for 3, run; Monique Yslas 1 for 2, run.
Courtesy of Meaghan MacDonald, Dickinson Press 4/11/15
