May 8, 2023

DICKINSON, N.D. – Second-seeded Valley City State (N.D.) and top-seeded Bellevue (Neb.) met in the North Star Athletic Association Softball Postseason Tournament title for the second straight year Monday at Bravera Field.  The Vikings, who were undefeated in the tournament before entering the championship game, scored at least a run in the first four innings, and held off the Bruins by the score of 7-3.

VCSU (28-21 overall record) made a return trip to the NAIA Softball National Tournament Opening Round, which is set for May 15-17.  Bellevue fell to 41-12 overall record and awaits to see from the national office if they will receive an at-large invitation. 

The Bruins took the first lead of the game, thanks to Sami Reding’s lead-off walk followed by two stolen bases.  Ashley Young hit an RBI sacrifice fly to score Reding for 1-0 BU lead.

Valley City State answered with two runs for a 2-1 lead in the bottom first after a two-out RBI double by Sierra Crocker.

Riley Perryman blasted a 3-run home run in the bottom second frame as the Vikings’ lead grew to 5-1 and never trailed in the game.

Reese Floro produced a two-out RBI single in the top third as BU trailed 5-2.  VCSU added a run in the bottom third after an RBI sacrifice fly by Andrea Rodriguez, scoring Alyssa DePoorter who led off with a double for a 6-2 lead.

Perryman drilled an RBI double in in the bottom fourth to widen VCSU’s lead to 7-2.

Bellevue’s comeback attempt in the top seventh inning saw one run scored, where Katie Cunningham and Mya Montero hit back-to-back singles with two outs.  Reding followed up with an RBI double to trim VCSU’s lead to 7-3.

The Vikings’ defense ended BU’s scoring opportunity, securing their second consecutive trip to the national tournament.

Joelle Lamontagne (W, 12-8) pitched a complete game victory for Valley City State, giving up three runs on seven hits.  She registered four strikeouts. 

Perryman drove in four runs for the Vikings from her home run and a double.  Crocker added a double and two RBIs.  Ashlynne Copinga, Marissa Hawkins, DePoorter, and Makenee Stone each provided a hit.

Reding finished the game with a double, single, and an RBI for Bellevue.  Floro added a hit and an RBI.  Liana McMurtry collected a double.  Lauren Jurek, Cunningham, and Montero each had a hit.

Jurek (L 14-3) took the defeat in the pitching circle, working for five total innings, allowing three unearned runs on four hits.  Cunningham pitched one inning in relief.