DICKINSON, N.D. – Madison Stone’s sacrifice fly in the bottom of the eighth lifted Valley City State to a 3-2 victory over Dickinson State in a North Star Athletic Association tournament elimination game Saturday at Bravera Field.

The Vikings move on in the NSAA tournament bracket, while the Blue Hawks were eliminated. Both teams recorded seven hits, but timely execution and discipline at the plate gave VCSU the edge.

Valley City State struck first in the bottom of the opening inning. Ashlyn Diemert led off with a single and later came around to score on an error, giving the Vikings a 1-0 lead. Dickinson State starter Alison Eldridge worked out of a bases-loaded jam to prevent further damage.

Dickinson State evened the score in the top of the fourth. Brooke Lijewski reached on an error and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt and flyout. Allison Farrington followed with a sacrifice fly to left, plating Jessa Duggan, who had pinch run for Lijewski.

The tie didn’t last long, as Valley City State responded in the home half of the inning. Katelyn MacNeill laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance runners before Stone delivered her first of two sacrifice flies, scoring Kylee Banerd to reclaim the lead at 2-1.

The Blue Hawks again pulled even in the fifth. Cassidy Venner singled and was lifted for pinch runner Jersi Morse. After a strikeout, Hope Fath singled and Kara Conway walked to load the bases. Celina Wilharm lifted a fly ball to center, deep enough to score Morse and tie the game at 2-2.

Both teams had opportunities late but couldn’t capitalize until the eighth. Dickinson State stranded three runners in the top half of the inning after back-to-back singles by Bailey Hansen and Farrington and a walk to Kiley Hubby. Valley City State then loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom half after a walk, a single, and a fielder’s choice. Stone stepped in and hit a deep fly to center, scoring Banerd from third for the walk-off win.

Banerd led Valley City State offensively, going 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Alyssa DePoorter also tallied two hits. Stone drove in two runs, both on sacrifice flies. Madison Hazelton went the distance in the circle for the Vikings, allowing two earned runs on seven hits while striking out six and walking four across eight innings.

Dickinson State’s offense was led by HaLeigh Davis, who went 3-for-4 and reached base in every plate appearance. Hansen added two hits, and Farrington drove in one run. Eldridge was strong in the circle, pitching 7.2 innings, allowing seven hits and three runs (two earned), while striking out three and walking five on 139 pitches.