OMAHA, Neb. -- A three-run sixth erased a 2-0 deficit as the No. 5 Bellevue University baseball team defeated Dickinson State University 3-2 to sweep a North Star Athletic Association triple-header at Westgate Field on Friday afternoon.
With the sweep Bellevue improves to 23-4 (3-0 North Star) on the season while the Blue Hawks dip to 13-18 (0-3 North Star) on the year.
After commanding each of the first two games of the day a tight pitcher's duel ensued in game three.
Dickinson State scored first after being shut out for the first 15 innings of the afternoon. Jacob Hignite singled with one out, stole second, and came in on a single to right-center by Jeff VanCleave.
Bellevue threatened in the bottom of the fourth, loading the bases with just one out, but Josh Schuller got Todd Nicks to ground into a double play to end the inning.
A half inning later, the Blue Hawks added to their lead with a two-out single to left-center by Jacob Cuch that brought in Nathan Demarais just ahead of the third out at third base.
Bellevue put a runner on base in each of the game's first five innings but left four aboard over that stretch.
Ross Feeley and Colton Nash led off the sixth with consecutive singles putting the tying run aboard with no outs. Derik Bontempo followed with a Baltimore Chop to third but with the high hop the third baseman had to rush the throw and airmailed his delivery down the right field line allowing both runners to score and Bontempo to reach third. Two batters later Matt Evans laid down a beautifully placed bunt to score Bontempo on the suicide squeeze.
Leland Tilley came on for the seventh to seal the victory with his fifth save of the year. Jake Young led off the inning by being hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a sac bunt. Tilley got the next two batters on a groundout to third and second, respectively.
Nicks (5-1, 3.94) worked six innings allowing two runs on five hits while striking out six to record the win.
Bellevue's game scheduled for tomorrow against Dickinson State has been canceled over weather concerns. The Bruins return to the field on Monday, Mar. 28 when they host Midland University at 3 p.m.
