DICKINSON, N.D. – University of Jamestown used a five-run fourth inning and a dominant performance in the circle to defeat Valley City State 8-0 in the opening round of the North Star Athletic Association Softball Championship Friday at Bravera Field.
The win advances Jamestown (33-15) into the winner’s bracket of the double-elimination tournament, while Valley City State (23-22) falls into an elimination game.
Hope Ransome tossed a complete-game four-hitter for the Jimmies, needing just 54 pitches to secure the shutout. The sophomore right-hander did not walk a batter and struck out none, relying on a steady defense and efficient contact pitching. Ransome faced the minimum through the first three innings and did not allow multiple baserunners in any frame.
After three scoreless innings, Jamestown broke through with five runs in the bottom of the fourth. Lauren Weigel led off with a walk and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Maddie Spaeth. After advancing to third on a passed ball, Weigel scored the game’s first run on an RBI single by Natalie Draper. Kaitlin McCartney followed with a double to the left-center gap to drive in another run.
Marin Rasmussen entered as a pinch runner for McCartney and later scored on a wild pitch. Tori Olson continued the rally with an RBI single, and after stealing second, came home on a base hit from Sidnie Aasen to push the lead to 5-0.
The Jimmies added three insurance runs in the sixth. McCartney singled to open the inning, and Olson followed with her second hit of the day. An error by the left fielder on a ball hit by Sydney Grendler allowed McCartney to score. Rylie Welk pinch ran for Grendler and moved up on a flyout. Trinity Gregg’s RBI single brought in Olson and another defensive miscue allowed Welk to score. Weigel capped the inning with an RBI double to center field, giving Jamestown an 8-0 lead.
Jamestown finished with 10 hits in the game, led by Olson who went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI. Gregg added two hits and drove in a run, while McCartney went 2-for-3 with a double, a run scored and an RBI. Weigel reached base three times with a hit and two walks and contributed a run and an RBI.
Valley City State managed four hits—singles by Ashlyn Diemert, Madison Zander, Kylee Banerd, and Lauren Nixon—but struggled to generate scoring chances against Ransome. The Vikings had one baserunner in each of the second, third, fourth, and fifth innings but could not advance a runner past second base.
Zander took the loss for Valley City State, allowing four runs (three earned) on two hits and three walks over 3.1 innings. Madison Hazelton and Cooper Klaahsen each pitched in relief. Hazelton gave up three runs (one earned) on six hits in 1.2 innings, while Klaahsen surrendered one earned run in a third of an inning.
Jamestown’s defense played error-free softball, converting all 18 defensive outs behind Ransome. The Jimmies turned in a well-balanced effort, executing on the base paths and taking advantage of four extra-base hits and three Viking errors.