Sagan Osborne – Dickinson State Sports & Marketing Information Director
Mitchell, S.D. – Dickinson State opened their spring season on the earliest date in school history with a two-game sweep of host Dakota Wesleyan. The Blue Hawks pounded the Tigers 16-2 in the first game before grinding out a 2-1 win in game two. DSU is now 3-7 on the season.
Game One – DSU 16 DWU 2
Dickinson State opened the 2025 season with an impressive 16-2 victory over Dakota Wesleyan at Drake Field. The Blue Hawks dominated from start to finish, capitalizing on defensive miscues and timely hitting to secure the win.
Dickinson State set the tone early, scoring four runs in the first inning. Jace Buchanan's RBI single drove in the game's first run, followed by an error that allowed another run to score. Ty Farwell and Moses Dokes added unearned runs to give the Blue Hawks a 4-0 lead.
In the second inning, Dickinson State extended its lead to 5-0 when Kadin Finders reached on an error, allowing Jadyn Roberts to score. Dakota Wesleyan responded with a run in the bottom half of the inning, but Dickinson State maintained control.
The Blue Hawks continued their offensive surge in the fourth inning. Buchanan singled and later scored on Wyatt Wilharm's RBI triple. John-Michael Gonzalez Jr. added an RBI single to make it 7-1. Dakota Wesleyan managed a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth, cutting the deficit to 7-2.
Dickinson State broke the game open in the fifth inning, scoring seven runs. Errors by Dakota Wesleyan's defense, combined with key hits from Farwell, Dokes, and Gonzalez Jr., fueled the rally. The inning featured RBI walks, a two-run double by Farwell, and additional runs scored on passed balls and defensive miscues, pushing the lead to 14-2.
The Blue Hawks added two more runs in the seventh inning. Buchanan singled and scored on a bases-loaded walk to Dokes. Wilharm later crossed the plate on a fielder's choice, finalizing the score at 16-2.
On the mound, Cooper Van Luchene earned the win, pitching three solid innings, allowing one run on three hits while striking out three. Tate Williams and Patrick Dietz provided strong relief, combining for four innings of one-run ball with three strikeouts.
Offensively, Buchanan led the way, going 3-for-4 with four runs scored and an RBI. Wilharm contributed with a triple, three runs, and an RBI, while Dokes added two hits and three RBIs. Farwell chipped in with a double and two RBIs.
Dickinson State showcased an aggressive approach on the base paths, going a perfect 6-for-6 on stolen bases and applying constant pressure. The Blue Hawks also played flawless defense, committing no errors, while Dakota Wesleyan struggled with five defensive miscues.
Game Two – DSU 2 DWU 1
Dickinson State edged Dakota Wesleyan 2-1 on in game two, using strong pitching and aggressive baserunning to secure the victory.
The Blue Hawks (3-7) took the lead in the second inning when Ty Farwell singled with two outs and later scored on a Luis Rodriguez RBI single to center. In the third, Jadyn Roberts walked, stole second, advanced to third on a Kadin Finders single, and then stole home on a double steal to give Dickinson State a 2-0 lead.
Dakota Wesleyan (0-4) responded in the bottom of the third when Payne singled and scored on a two-out RBI double from Dutton. That was all the Tigers could manage as the Blue Hawk pitching staff shut them down the rest of the way.
Logan Smith started for Dickinson State, tossing two scoreless innings, allowing one hit, walking one, and striking out four. Trent Richter (1-0) earned the win in relief, working four innings while allowing one run on two hits with four strikeouts. Dax Chitty closed out the seventh for his first save, striking out one in a perfect inning.
The Blue Hawks recorded four hits, led by Farwell, who went 2-for-3 with a run scored. Rodriguez and Finders each added a hit. Roberts reached base twice via walks, scored a run, and stole three bases.
Dakota Wesleyan's Munger (0-1) took the loss, allowing two runs on four hits over six innings while striking out six and walking three. Connor Meyers pitched a scoreless seventh in relief.