April 19, 2010

Story courtesy of Dickinson State Sports Information

DICKINSON, N.D. - Sara Jane Webster pitched two back to back shutout gems, the second of which resulted in a no-hitter, as No. 12 Dickinson State (N.D.) went on to defeat Black Hills State (S.D.) 4-0 and 6-0 on Friday at Gress Softball Complex. Webster had 18 strikeouts in 14 innings of work Friday.

"A pitcher can't strike out every batter," Webster said, "My defense really was behind me. They had my back on the outs that we needed."

The Blue Hawks (16-9, 7-3 DAC) started the first game of the day with stifling defense and never let up. Webster was dialed in from her first pitch, striking out 13, while only allowing four hits. After 5 ½ innings of scoreless softball, DSU started making key plays at the plate. Brittney Rivas hit a single to right-center field and was then driven home by senior Kelly Jahn. In the next at bat, Jody Lantz drove in pinch runner Carly Peterson and reached third base on an error from the Yellow Jackets outfield. With a 2-0 lead, senior Danielle Crawford put the exclamation point on the game with a two-run home run to center field.

Webster, an All-American pitcher, didn't let up and neither did the defense behind her as the Hawks allowed no runs in the second game of the doubleheader. Nickie Youngblood hit a double and then scored on a sacrifice bunt from Webster to bring the score to 1-0 in the first. During her next at bat, Youngblood drove in two more runs and another scored on a Yellow Jacket throwing error. In the fourth inning Vanessa Adame singled, sending home pinch runner Carly Patterson. Youngblood then drove Adame home after a warning track shot to center field. Webster, now 9-3 on the season, struck out five batters in the no-hitter.

DSU will travel to Valley City State (N.D.) for two crucial conference doubleheaders on April 24 and 25.