Softball Nick Huntimer, NSAA Sports Information Director

SOFTBALL: Comets storm back to defeat Trojans in NSAA Softball Tournament Opening Round

Mayville State (N.D.) rallied back from 6-2 deficit for 10-6 victory over Dakota State (S.D.)

May 3, 2024

DICKINSON, N.D. – Fourth-seeded Mayville State (N.D.) stormed back late in the game with eight unanswered runs, erasing their 6-2 deficit for a 10-6 North Star Athletic Association softball opening round victory over fifth-seeded Dakota State (S.D.) Friday at Sanford Sports Complex.

The Comets (15-29 overall record) move on to face the top-seeded Bellevue (Neb.) (30-16 overall record) in the winner’s bracket at 1 p.m. (Central Time)/12 p.m. (Mountain Time). 

DaSU takes on the loser of Friday’s night cap between No. 6 seed Waldorf (Iowa) and No. 3 seed Dickinson State (N.D.). 

Mayville State struck first in the bottom first inning with a 2-run home run blast by Megan Elliott for a 2-0 lead.

Dakota State poured in six runs in the top third inning, all with two outs.  Alexus Foster highlighted with a 3-run home run blast down the left field line by the foul pole for a 6-2 lead.

MSU snapped their scoring drought, plating four runs in the bottom fifth.  Mackenzie Hughes sparked the scoring run with an RBI double, followed by Lindsey Tulla’s RBI single.  The Comets added another run caused by DSU’s defensive error, followed by Alyssa Avila’s RBI single to tie the game at 6-6.

Mayville State regained their lead in the bottom sixth after an RBI single from Mackenzie Iverson.  Avila capped MSU’s four-run production with a 3-run home run blast to left field, securing the victory.

Avila finished the game by going 2-for-4 at the plate with a home run, single, and drove in a game-high four runs for Mayville State.  Elliott added a home run and two RBIs.  Tulla collected two singles and an RBI.  Madison Terres had two hits.
 
Emily Haines started the game, working for 2 2/3 innings in the pitching circle for MSU.  Courtney Boll (W, 6-13) notched the victory after shutting down the Trojans in 4 1/3 innings and limited them to three singles.

Foster was 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs for the Trojans.  Rosie Philop and Jordyn Jeffries each had a hit and an RBI.  Hannah McFarland, Quincy Hartley, and Gabriella Ortega-Alves each had a hit.

Maycee Bricker started the game for Dakota State, pitching 4 1/3 innings.  Delaney Barrett (L, 7-12) took the setback after working for an inning in relief, giving up four runs.