MINOT, N.D. – The Minot State Beavers closed out the regular season on a high note Sunday, sweeping Sioux Falls in an NSIC doubleheader behind explosive offense and strong pitching performances. Minot State outscored the Cougars 22-1 across the two games while extending its late-season momentum heading into postseason play. With the regular season complete, the Beavers will head to Sioux Falls, S.D., for the NSIC Softball Tournament, where they are scheduled to face the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs on Wednesday May 6th at noon.
GAME 1 | Minot State 14, Sioux Falls 1
MINOT, N.D. – Paige Kellogg drove in four runs to help power the Beavers to a dominant 14-1 victory in the opener.
Senior Kierra Fournier (10-8) earned the win in the circle for Minot State (32-21, 17-12), allowing one run on two hits while striking out three over five innings.
Kellogg finished 3-for-3 with a home run, a walk, and four RBIs. Taylor Smith added a home run and three RBIs in a 2-for-4 performance, while Micaela Resler chipped in two hits and two RBIs.
Minot State opened the scoring with three runs in the second inning before exploding for six more runs in the third, highlighted by Kellogg's two-run homer. The Beavers added five runs in the fourth inning, capped by Smith's three-run home run, to put the game out of reach.
GAME NOTES
» Paige Kellogg collected three hits and four RBIs for Minot State.
» The Beavers scored six runs in the third inning, their highest-scoring frame of the game.
» Minot State never surrendered the lead after taking a 3-0 advantage in the second inning.
» Four Beavers recorded multiple hits.
» Minot State out-hit Sioux Falls 13-2.
» The Beavers went 7-for-13 with runners in scoring position.
» Minot State pitchers faced 17 hitters, allowing seven ground balls and four fly balls while striking out three.
» The Beavers drew five walks in the contest.
» Taylor Smith added a home run and three RBIs in the win.
GAME 2 | Minot State 8, Sioux Falls 0
MINOT, N.D. – Katie Newberry tossed a complete-game shutout as the Beavers completed the sweep with an 8-0 victory in the nightcap.
Newberry (11-5) allowed just two hits over five innings while walking two and striking out three.
Offensively, Paige Kellogg continued her big day at the plate, going 3-for-3 with two doubles and three RBIs. Taylor Smith added a double and an RBI, while Mallory Hoogensen contributed a double and an RBI of her own.
The Beavers broke through in the third inning with two runs before erupting for six runs in the fourth inning. Kellogg delivered the biggest hit of the frame with a two-run double as Minot State secured the run-rule win.
GAME NOTES
» Katie Newberry threw a two-hit shutout for the Beavers.
» Paige Kellogg recorded three hits and three RBIs.
» Kellogg led the Beavers with two extra-base hits.
» Minot State scored six runs in the fourth inning, its highest-scoring inning of the game.
» The Beavers out-hit Sioux Falls 8-2.
» Minot State went 4-for-10 with runners in scoring position.
» Minot State pitchers faced 20 hitters, allowing four ground balls and eight fly balls while striking out three.
» Taylor Smith and Mallory Hoogensen each added RBI doubles in the victory.
