MINOT, N.D. – The Minot State Beavers softball team heads into postseason play this week after closing the regular season with four straight wins and back-to-back doubleheader sweeps at the SCHEELS South Hill Softball Complex.
Minot State begins the NSIC Tournament on Wednesday at noon in Sioux Falls, S.D., taking on the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs in a first-round matchup at Bowden Field. The tournament is single elimination, and with a victory, the Beavers would advance to face the St. Cloud State Huskies on Thursday at 3 p.m.
The Beavers (33-21 overall, 18-12 NSIC) enter the postseason with momentum after sweeping both Southwest Minnesota State and Sioux Falls to close out the regular season.
Minot State opened the weekend Saturday with a pair of victories over Southwest Minnesota State. In Game 1, Taylor Smith powered the offense with two home runs, a double, and three RBIs in a 10-2 win. Brooke Hyde added a home run and three RBIs, while Kierra Fournier earned the win in the circle after striking out six hitters.
The Beavers completed the sweep with a 7-2 victory in Game 2 behind a balanced offensive effort. Paige Kellogg went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs, while Sarah Misner added three hits and a solo homer. Calley Olson tossed three scoreless innings in relief to help secure the win.
Minot State continued its offensive surge Sunday against Sioux Falls, outscoring the Cougars 22-1 across two games. Paige Kellogg highlighted the opener with a 3-for-3 performance, including a home run and four RBIs, as the Beavers rolled to a 14-1 victory. Taylor Smith also homered and drove in three runs in the win.
In the regular-season finale, Katie Newberry threw a two-hit shutout in an 8-0 victory to complete the sweep. Kellogg again led the offense with three hits and three RBIs, while the Beavers scored six runs in the fourth inning to put the game away.
Across the final four games of the regular season, Minot State scored 39 runs and hit six home runs while receiving strong pitching performances from Fournier, Newberry, Misner, and Olson.
Now, the Beavers turn their focus to postseason softball as they open tournament play Wednesday looking to extend their winning streak and advance in the NSIC Tournament bracket.
