Box Score ROCHESTER, Minn. – Minot State University senior pitcher
Tiffany Friesen (Morden, Manitoba) gave the Beavers exactly what they needed.
In the final four innings of the Beavers first loser out game and seven innings of shutout ball against Augustana College in the nightcap, she helped pitch the Beavers to the final day of their first U.S. Open / NSIC Softball Tournament.
Friesen scattered six hits and tossed a complete-game shutout as Minot State eliminated Augustana College 2-0 late Saturday night at the Rochester Community and Technical College Dome.
“Tiffany really pitched well over the final two games today and gave us a big lift,” said MISU head coach
Bill Triplett. “I am very happy with how she pitched in some tough situations.”
The win helps the Beavers (39-8 overall) into the loser out bracket semifinal against Minnesota Duluth Sunday at 9 a.m.
Friesen wasn't overpowering in the circle as she struck out two batters, but didn't walk any Viking batters and didn't allow Augie to string hits together.
She got some help in the seventh to pitch out of her biggest jam as the Vikings put runners on first and second with no outs. Friesen, however, got a key double play as
Stacey Fournier (Jr., INF, Langley, British Columbia) snagged a hot shot down the third base line and doubled off the runner by hitting sister
Emily Fournier (Jr., INF, Langley, British Columbia) covering second.
Minot State got the two run lead with two big singles in back-to-back innings. First,
Brittany Thorson (Fr., SS/P, El Paso, Texas) drove in Friesen with a single to left center to five Minot state a 1-0 lead in the fourth. Next, it was
Jen Dixon's (Jr., OF/P, Brandon, Manitoba) turn to push a run across as she singled home
Ali Cygan (So., SS, Bozeman, Mont.) in the fifth.
Cygan, Dixon, Friesen, Thorson and
Maribel Casillas (Sr., OF, Murrieta, Calif.) all finished with hits for Minot State.
The Beavers will look to advance in their first conference tournament as a member of the Northern Sun and win 40 games for the first time in school history Sunday.
– GO BEAVERS –
