LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Minot State University carried a 3-1 lead into the seventh inning but couldn't hold on for the win as Lewis University rallied to spoil the final day for the Beavers at the Montana State-Billings Desert Stinger here Sunday.

The Beavers (1-3) fell 6-3 to Lewis to drop both contests at the final day. MSU lost 10-2 to Adams State College earlier in the day. MSU defeated New Mexico Highlands 15-0 late Saturday night as the Beavers only win at the all NCAA Division II tournament. MSU is in Year 2 Candidacy of its transition to NCAA Division II status.

“The biggest thing for us was to have some experience of seeing what NCAA softball is all about,” said MSU head coach Bill Triplett. “We were in every game and had just one bad inning really. All and all, we were right there. I think it was a positive experience overall. Sometimes you learn a little more from a loss.”

The Beavers looked to be in good shape to even its record at 2-2 as starting pitcher Jen Dixon (Fr., P/OF, Brandon, Manitoba) limited Lewis to just one unearned run and three hits over 2 2/3 innings. MSU scored three in the fifth inning to take a lead and had ace pitcher Mandy Greenberg (So., P, Winnipeg, Manitoba) in to finish things out. But, Lewis rallied for five in the seventh, including a three-run walk-off home run by Michelle Vuckso.

“Mandy isn't Mandy yet,” Triplett said. “She needs to get stronger. It was encouraging what Jen did for us. She really threw the ball well. She's going to be a good one both pitching and as a speedy lefthanded power stick.”

The Beavers got two hits and a run batted in from Deanna Mitchell (Jr., 1B/OF, Portage, Manitoba) and a RBI from Ashley Smoke (Jr., C, Portage la Prairie, Manitoba), but stranded seven runners. In all, however, Triplett was pleased with his teams batting early in the year.

“We put four up just about every game and I told them with our pitching staff, that will win a lot of games,” he said. “I was a little disappointed in our big boppers. Freshman Stacy Fournier (SS, Langley, British Columbia) had a nice start to her career.”

Lewis' 2-3 hitters Katie Healy and Vuckso combined to go 6 for 9 with two runs scored and four runs driven in. Sarah Hurley was 3 for 4 in the game.

MSU carried a 1-0 lead into the fourth against Adams State, but gave up seven in the bottom of the fourth to fall in the first game. Mitchell again had a good day at the plate, going 1 for 3 with an RBI. Kyla Thiesen (Jr., 2B, Brandon, Manitoba) was 1 for 2 with an RBI and a run scored.

The Beavers are now off until their annual trip to Arizona March 10-18.