Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 WAYNE, Neb. – A pair of big 3-run home runs kept Minot State University's conference championship hopes alive.

Melissa Bell (So., C, Belgrade, Mont.) tied game 2 against Wayne State College at 3 and Jen Dixon (Jr., OF/P, Brandon, Manitoba) broke a 4-4 tie in the ninth to give the Beavers an extra-inning win.

The power show in game 2 coupled with an overpowering pitching performance from Mandy Greenberg (Sr., P, Winnipeg, Manitoba) in game 1, helped the Beavers to a 2-0, 7-4 (9) sweep of Wayne State in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference softball Saturday at Pete Chapman Complex.

“This team has found a way to win just about every time we have faced some sort of adversity,” said MISU head coach Bill Triplett. “Mel hit a big home run to get us going after a slow start in game 2 and Jen delivered in a crucial at bat in the ninth. These are huge wins for us on the road at against a good team.”

Minot State (35-6 overall, 17-5 NSIC) improved to 2-1 in extra-inning games, winning for the ninth time in its past 10 games. The Beavers clinched at least fourth in the NSIC and now sits in a tie for second with Minnesota Duluth, a half-game behind Winona State.

“You talk about it all year, just give yourself a chance for a title at the end of the season and we have done just that,” Triplett said. “We need to take care of business against another really good team and get some help, but we put ourselves in that position.”

Minot State travels to Augustana College for the NSIC regular season finale Sunday.

The Beavers looked down and out in game 2 as Wayne State (25-13, 16-8) jumped out to a 3-0 lead on MISU starter Tiffany Friesen (Sr., P/3B, Morden, Manitoba).

But Bell, who went 2-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs scored, turned the tables with one swing, smacking her sixth home run of the season over the right field fence. Minot State took a 4-3 lead into the seventh as Brittany Thorson (Fr., SS/P, El Paso, Texas) singled home Rachael Smith (Jr., C, Meyronne, Saskatchewan), who was pinch running.

The Wildcats forced extras with an unearned run in the bottom of the seventh, getting a run after a catcher's interference call to start the inning.
After both teams went scoreless in the eighth, Dixon plated three with her 10th home run, knocking in Bell and Ali Cygan (So., SS, Bozeman, Mont.).

Bell, Dixon and Friesen all finished with two hits and Cygan and Bell scored two runs. Greenberg worked 4 2/3 of relief, pitching out of a couple jams, for her 20th win on the season. She gave up a single unearned run and four this while striking out six.

While game 2 showcased the Beavers hitters, game 1 belonged to Greenberg. She surrendered a single hit, while striking out 11 in a complete-game shutout.

“Mandy was very good today, but she was lights out in game 1,” Triplett said. “We have tried to keep her innings down this year and with how Tiffany has pitched, it has been an easy decision most of the time, but down the stretch, we expect her (Greenberg) to be great every time out – as a starter or in relief.”

Minot State manufactured a run with Bell scoring on a fielder's choice in the first and Dixon driving home Cygan with a single in the third. Bell and Dixon finished with two hits apiece.

Minot State will take on Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D., Sunday starting at noon.

– GO BEAVERS –