May 7, 2023

DICKINSON, N.D. – Second-seeded Valley City State (N.D.) made a return trip to the North Star Athletic Association Softball Championship game Sunday, run ruling in five innings over the top-seeded Bellevue (Neb.) 9-1 in the battle of the remaining undefeated teams in the postseason tournament at Bravera Field. 

VCSU lifted their overall record to 27-21 and looks to defend their conference tournament title from last season Monday at 12 p.m. (MT).

Bellevue suffered their first setback in the conference tournament, falling to 40-11 overall record.  The Bruins play a loser’s out game at 3 p.m. (MT) against the winner of Dakota State (S.D.)-Dickinson State (N.D.) loser’s out game scheduled at 1 p.m. (MT).

The Vikings took the first lead of the game in the top third inning.  Andrea Rodriguez opened with a walk and advanced to third base after Ashlyn Diemert’s single.  Riley Perryman produced an RBI sacrifice fly to score Rodriguez for a 1-0 lead.

BU answered with a run in the bottom third frame with a bases loaded RBI walk by Katie Cunningham, tying the game at 1-1.

VCSU poured in eight consecutive runs with two outs in the top fourth inning, capped by Maddy Zander’s 3-RBI base clearing double for a 9-1 lead.

The Bruins left two runners on base in the bottom fifth inning, securing the victory for the Vikings.

Zander (W, 12-7) picked up the complete game victory in five innings for Valley City State, despite issuing seven walks in the game.  She limited the Bruins to one run on four hits.

She finished the game by going 2-of-3 at the plate with a double, single, and drove in a game-high three runs.  Ashlynne Copinga and Diemert each added two hits and an RBI. Perryman had a hit and two RBIs.

Cunningham (L, 13-7) took the loss in the pitching circle, working for 3 2/3 innings for BU.  She allowed nine runs (five unearned) on seven hits and registered four strikeouts.  She finished the game with a double and an RBI. 

Reese Floro, Liana McMurtry, and Atiana Rodirguez each picked up a hit for the Bruins.  Lauren Jurek tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings in relief.