May 6, 2023

DICKINSON, N.D. – Fourth-seeded Dakota State (S.D.) kept top-seeded Bellevue (Neb.) scoreless for the first five innings in the North Star Athletic Association Softball Postseason Tournament’s winner bracket game Saturday at Bravera Field, hosted by Dickinson State (N.D.).  The Bruins rallied back to tie the game in the bottom sixth and completed a furious comeback for a 2-1 victory to move on to Sunday’s winner bracket game.

The Trojans (14-33) will play in a loser’s out contest versus No. 7 seed Mayville State (N.D.) Saturday at 4 p.m. (MT).  BU awaits the winner of No. 3 seed Dickinson State and No. 2 seed Valley City State (N.D.) Sunday at 11 a.m. (MT).

Michelle Evdos hit a 2-out double in the opening and scored on the same play after the Bruins committed two straight errors, giving DaSU a 1-0 lead.

The Trojans’ defense halted the Bruins to score through five innings, leaving runner on third base four total times.

Dakota State was unable to extend their lead in the top sixth frame, despite a lead-off double by Entringer and swiped to third base.  Bellevue halted the Trojans’ scoring opportunity, trailing 1-0.

Liana McMurtry and Atiana Rodirguez hit back-to-back singles with one out in the bottom sixth to set up a comeback attempt for the Bruins. 

The Bruins knotted the game at 1-1 with two outs as Madison Machacek hit an RBI single to score McMurtry.

Sami Reding led off the bottom seventh by being hit-by-pitch.  Reese Floro hit a popped-out bunt, while Reding advanced to second base caused by DaSU’s defensive error.  Reding swiped to third base and scored the game winning run by another defensive error by the Trojans, winning the game at 2-1.

Reding and McMurtry each finished the game by going 2-of-2 at the plate for Bruins.  Rodriguez added two hits.  Machacek had a hit and an RBI.  Mya Montero had a double.

NSAA Pitcher-of-the-Year Lauren Jurek (W, 13-2) earned a complete game victory in the pitching circle, yielding the Trojans to an unearned run on six hits.  She struck out four DaSU’s batters.

Maycee Bricker started the game for Dakota State, pitching six strong innings.  She limited the Bruins to one run on eight hits and registered three strikeouts.  Sophia Cordova (L, 4-6) took the setback after working in the seventh inning.