Dickinson, N.D. - 

Jamestown used a six-run second inning and a complete-game shutout from Hope Ransome to defeat Valley City State 7-0 in the North Star Athletic Association Softball Tournament championship game Saturday afternoon at the Sanford Sports Complex in Dickinson.

With the win, the Jimmies claimed the NSAA tournament title and earned the conference's automatic berth to the NAIA Softball National Championship Opening Round.

Jamestown capitalized on a big second inning to take control of the game early. The Jimmies sent 11 batters to the plate, scoring six runs on four hits and a pair of passed balls. After a leadoff walk to Natalie Draper, Kaitlin McCartney singled to put runners at the corners. Rylie Welk entered as a pinch runner and would come around to score after Torie Olson delivered a bunt single for the game’s first run. Welk and Olson then executed a double steal to move into scoring position.

Sydney Grendler followed with a two-run double to right-center, giving Jamestown a 3-0 lead. Marin Rasmussen pinch ran and later scored on a groundout by Lauren Weigel, while Sidnie Aasen added a run on a passed ball. Trinity Gregg reached on a bunt single and eventually scored on a sacrifice fly by Maddie Spaeth, capping the six-run frame.

Jamestown added an insurance run in the third inning. Welk singled and advanced to second on an error, then moved to third on a groundout. Grendler reached on another error that allowed Welk to score and extend the lead to 7-0.

That was more than enough support for Ransome, who was dominant in the circle. The sophomore right-hander tossed a complete-game shutout, allowing just three hits and no walks while striking out two. Ransome faced the minimum through the first three innings and allowed only one Valley City State batter to reach third base in the contest. She improved to 13-7 on the season with the victory.

Valley City State struggled to generate offense, recording just three singles—two by freshman Katelyn MacNeill and one by Avery Kuklinski. The Vikings were unable to mount a scoring threat against the efficient Ransome, who needed only 55 pitches to complete the seven-inning performance.

Grendler finished with a team-high three RBIs, while Olson went 1-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI. Welk reached base twice and scored two runs, and McCartney tallied a pair of hits to lead the Jimmies’ seven-hit effort.

Valley City State used three pitchers in the game. Cooper Klaahsen started but exited before throwing a pitch. Senior Maddy Zander took the loss, falling to 12-12 after allowing five runs (four earned) on three hits and three walks in one inning of work. Madison Hazelton came on in relief and gave the Vikings five solid innings, surrendering two runs (one earned) on four hits with three strikeouts and no walks.

Jamestown played clean defensively, committing no errors in the field. The Jimmies turned in solid defensive efforts from Olson at second base and Spaeth at shortstop, contributing to 18 ground ball outs and no free passes issued.

The Vikings committed two errors, both in the infield, which led to a pair of unearned runs for Jamestown.