Box Score Las Vegas, Nev. – Minot State University's pitching has been outstanding over its first three games.
The Beavers stretched their scoreless innings streak to 17 before Simon Fraser (B.C.) pushed across a run, but by that time the Beavers had a 6-0 lead and won going away 8-2 in NCAA Division II softball Saturday at Majestic Park.
Minot State now stands at 3-0 after two days of the Montana State-Billings Desert Stinger.
“I'm just really happy and proud of how our kids have played over the first two days,” said MISU head coach
Bill Triplett. “We have done just about everything pretty well – pitching, hitting, fielding and running the bases.”
The pitching staff has yielded just two runs in its first 21 innings and has not allowed an opponent to score more than a single run in any one inning. Starting pitcher
Jen Dixon (Jr., P/OF, Brandon, Manitoba) went 4 1/3 innings, giving up six hits and two runs, while striking out five.
Tiffany Friesen (Sr., P/3B, Morden, Manitoba) scattered three hits in 2 2/3 innings – her third appearance at the tournament – to secure the save.
“We have been doing a good job of keeping the hits scattered and not allowing small things to turn into big things,” Triplett said. “Jen pitched out of a couple jams and Tiff did a good job of coming in to lock things down. So far, our staff has done a great job.”
Dixon is also getting it done at the plate. The junior slammed her second home run of the season over the left center fence during a three-run second inning. She hit her two-run shot just four batters after
Katie Backes (Jr., UTL, Minot, N.D.) smacked a solo shot. Dixon was 2 for 3 with two runs batted in and three runs scored.
She now has four RBIs and seven runs scored this season.
“Jenn is really hitting the ball hard – even her couple outs have been good at bats,” Triplett said.
Ali Cygan (So., SS, Bozeman, Mont.) also finished with two hits, going 2 for 4 with two runs scored.
Stacy Fournier (Jr., 3B, Langley, British Columbia) went 1 for 3 and knocked in three runs.
The Beavers will look to stay undefeated as they finish the final day at the Desert Stinger with games against Western New Mexico (11:30 a.m. PT) and Minnesota Duluth (2 p.m. PT).
– GO BEAVERS –
