ROCHESTER, Minn. -- The Minot State University softball team's season came to an end with losses to No. 9 Sioux Falls (10-2) and No. 3 Winona State (6-5) on Thursday at the NSIC Tournament in Rochester, Minn.
The Beavers finish the season 22-22 overall and 15-15 in the NSIC after falling to Sioux Falls by run rule in the first game of the day and dropping Game 2 by a 6-5 walk-off final against Winona State to end action at the NSIC Tournament.
Game 1 | Sioux Falls 10, Minot State 2 (5 innings)
The Beavers had a tough showing during the first game of the day, falling to the Sioux Falls Cougars by a final score of 10-2.
Junior Trinity Valentine (L, 13-10) got the ball to start for Minot State and took the loss. Valentine tossed just 1.2 innings allowing seven runs in total (2 earned) with two walks and three strikeouts.
In the batter's box, the Beavers were led by Julia Suchan, who went 2-for-3 on the day with an RBI. Lenora Watson put together a standout day at the dish as well, going 1-for-2 with a double and an RBI. Jamie Odlum also helped out for Minot State, putting together two hits in three trips to the plate.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Beavers were trailing 7-0 in the second inning when they first put runs on the board. Minot State got on the board thanks to Watson's RBI double.
The Cougars expanded their lead to 8-1 before the Beavers offense got back to work, cutting into that lead in the third. Minot State scored once on an RBI single off the bat of Suchan, which tightened the Cougars' lead to 8-2. The Beavers were unable to get any closer, as Sioux Falls added two runs to their tally on the way to a 10-2 final.
GAME NOTES
» Minot State pitchers faced 34 Sioux Falls hitters in the game, allowing seven ground balls and three fly balls while striking out five.
» Suchan led the Beavers at the plate, going 2-for-3 with an RBI.
» Sioux Falls was led offensively by Frankie Mickelson, who went 2-for-3 with a double, a home run, and three RBIs.
» Kaitlyn VanDerZwaag led the Cougars pitching staff, throwing four innings of two-run ball.
Game 2 | Winona State 6, Minot State 5
The Beavers took a 5-4 lead into the sixth inning, but could not hang on and fell 6-5 to the Winona State Warriors Thursday.
Trinity Valentine (L, 13-11) got the ball to start for Minot State (22-22) and took the loss.
Freshman Gabi Dawyduk led the way offensively for the Beavers, going 3-for-4 in the ballgame with an RBI. Sophomore Alina Gonzalez furnished a noteworthy performance at the plate as well, going 1-for-3 with a double and two RBIs. Senior Isis Cabral also contributed, going 2-for-3 for Minot State with a walk.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Beavers got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with one run in the top of the first inning. Dawyduk's run-scoring single highlighted a two-run inning for Minot State.
The Beavers lost the lead they built in the first but got back on the board in the third trailing 3-2. Minot State pushed two runs across on a two-run double off the bat of Gonzalez that brought home Cabral and Dawyduk, which brought the Beavers lead to 4-3.
Minot State kept Winona State scoreless before expanding their lead to 5-3 the following inning. The Beavers were unable to hold the lead, as Winona State scored three times over the remaining three innings to grab the 6-5 win.
GAME NOTES
» Dawyduk led the Beavers, picking up three hits in the ballgame.
» The Beavers out-hit the Warriors at a 9-7 clip.
» Minot State went 4-for-10 (.400) with runners in scoring position.
» Minot State pitchers faced 34 Winona State hitters in the game, allowing nine ground balls and five fly balls while striking out six.
» The Beavers drew four walks from Winona State pitching.
» Dawyduk led the Beavers at the plate, going 3-for-4 with an RBI.
» Winona State was led offensively by senior Rylee Stout, who went 1-for-3 with a triple and three RBIs.
» Senior Jordyn Kleman led the Warriors pitching staff, throwing three scoreless innings.
The Beavers softball team's season comes to an end with a pair of losses at the NSIC Tournament. MSU finishes the season 22-22 overall and 15-15 in conference play.
