Dickinson, N.D. - 

Jamestown secured a spot in the North Star Athletic Association Softball Championship game with a 5-1 victory over Dickinson State in a Saturday afternoon winner's bracket game at Bravera Field in Dickinson.

Jamestown broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the fourth, then extended its lead with a three-run home run in the sixth to eliminate the Blue Hawks from the winner’s bracket. The Jimmies collected nine hits and committed one error, while Dickinson State finished with four hits and played error-free defense.

The Blue Hawks threatened early, putting runners in scoring position in the second and fourth innings, but Jamestown pitcher Hope Ransome stranded both chances. Ransome went 6.1 innings, allowing four hits and one earned run with two walks and two strikeouts. Maddie Hairgrove entered with one out in the seventh and recorded the final two outs to preserve the win.

Dickinson State starter Ava Jahner pitched a complete game, giving up five runs on nine hits while not issuing a walk. The freshman right-hander struck out one in her 72-pitch effort.

After three scoreless innings, Jamestown’s offense found momentum in the bottom of the fourth. Lauren Weigel led off with a single and came around to score on a triple by Maddie Spaeth. Spaeth then scored on a single from Kayla Quintanilla, giving the Jimmies a 2-0 lead.

Dickinson State responded with a run in the top of the sixth. After Celina Wilharm reached on a walk, Brooke Lijewski delivered an RBI double to left-center, trimming the deficit to 2-1. Lijewski went 3-for-3 at the plate with the Blue Hawks’ only RBI.

Jamestown answered quickly in the bottom half of the frame. Spaeth singled, Quintanilla added another base hit, and Natalie Draper reached on a fielder’s choice to set the stage for Kaitlin McCartney. The sophomore designated player launched a three-run home run over the left-field fence, extending Jamestown’s lead to 5-1.

Dickinson State mounted one final rally attempt in the seventh. Cassidy Venner reached on an error and was replaced by pinch runner Jessa Duggan, who stole second. After Ashlee Potter was hit by a pitch, Hairgrove entered the circle and retired the final two hitters to end the game.

In addition to Lijewski’s three-hit game, Potter recorded the only other hit for the Blue Hawks. Wilharm and Allyson Farrington each reached base once via walk. Defensively, Farrington, Bailey Hansen, and Kara Conway each contributed to the Blue Hawks’ clean game in the field.

Jamestown was led offensively by Spaeth, Quintanilla, and McCartney, who combined for six of the team’s nine hits and all five RBIs. Draper added a two-hit performance, and Trinity Gregg and Weigel each chipped in a hit.

With the win, Jamestown moves into Sunday’s championship final needing one more victory to claim the NSAA title. Dickinson State, now facing elimination, will return to action at 4 p.m. MT in a must-win contest.