SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- The Minot State Beavers took a 5-4 lead in the second inning and never trailed from there on the way to a 9-6 victory over the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs on Wednesday in the opening round of the NSIC Tournament.
Junior Katie Newberry (12-5) picked up the victory out of the bullpen for Minot State (34-21 overall). The right-hander went four innings, giving up one run on three hits, allowing three walks, and striking out six. Senior Kierra Fournier got the start and struck out two Bulldog batters in three innings work.
With the win, Minot State advances to the NSIC Tournament quarterfinals and plays second-seeded St. Cloud State on Thursday at 3 p.m.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Trailing 2-0, the Beavers first put runs on the board in the first inning. Minot State scratched across a run off senior Emmie Sylvia Cochran when senior Sara Van Wickler tripled in senior Taylor Smith. The triple was the 10th of the season for Van Wickler, setting a new single-season school record. It was also the 20th of her career, tying the all-time career record.
The Bulldogs expanded their lead to 4-1 before the Beavers offense got back to work, taking the lead in the second. The Minot State offense exploded for four runs, highlighted by a two-run double off the bat of Van Wickler, which brought the score to 5-4 in favor of the Beavers.
Minnesota Duluth fought back to even the ballgame at five before Minot State reclaimed a 6-5 advantage in the third inning when Brooke Hyde scored on an error.
The Bulldogs then evened up the game at six before Minot State fought back to retake their advantage in the fifth inning. The Beavers drove home a run on an RBI triple off the bat of Smith, scoring sophomore Ellington Anderson, bringing the score to 7-6 in favor of Minot State.
The Beavers kept Minnesota Duluth off the scoreboard before expanding their lead to 9-6 the following inning. Minot State plated two runs off of Minnesota Duluth pitching, punctuated by a run-scoring double off the bat of senior Mallory Hoogensen. The score remained 9-6 for the rest of the game, as the Beavers held on for the win.
GAME NOTES
» Newberry struck out six Bulldogs hitters.
» The Beavers power output was led by Van Wickler, who had two extra-base hits in the ballgame.
» Minot State's highest scoring inning was the second, when it pushed four runs across.
» The Beavers had control of the rest of the game after moving ahead of the Bulldogs 5-4 in the bottom of the second.
» Minot State pitchers faced 36 Minnesota Duluth hitters in the game, allowing five ground balls and seven fly balls while striking out eight.
» The Beavers drew seven walks from Minnesota Duluth pitching.
» Van Wickler led the Beavers at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a double, a triple and three RBIs.
» Minnesota Duluth was led offensively by senior Ava Johnson, who went 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs.
» Junior Ashley Mandell led the Bulldogs pitching staff, throwing one scoreless inning.
This story created through content automation technology from Data Skrive.
