JAMESTOWN, N.D. (JimmieAthletics.com) – After seeing their 18-game win streak come to an end with a 7-3 loss to Dickinson State (N.D.) Sunday in game one of the NSAA Championship best-of-three series, the 15th-ranked Jimmie softball team forced a decisive third game Monday with a 5-3 win in game two.
The Blue Hawks loaded the bases in the top of the second against Kat Miska (FR/Pequot Lakes, MN), scoring twice to take a 2-0 lead. Both runs came on walks to Rachael Dillon and Mariah Gamboa.
UJ answered back with a run in the bottom of the third. With one out, Emma Keller (SR/Poulsbo, WA) was hit by a pitch and scored on a double by Mikayla Frost (SO/Melba, ID).
Dickinson State used four hits in the top of the fifth to push home three more runs and extend their lead to 5-1. Jamestown cut the deficit to 5-3 with a pair of runs in the bottom half, scoring on a fielder’s choice and a fielding error.
Kayla Stephens’ RBI single and Rayleen Oritz’s RBI double in the top of the sixth gave Dickinson State a 7-3 advantage.
Frost went 2-for-3 for UJ. Kassi Ward (FR/Olympia, WA) added a hit and an RBI.
Jalen Creech started the game for the Dickinson State and worked the first three innings, allowing one run on three hits. Abi Brooks (14-7) picked up the win. She went the final four innings in relief, surrendering two unearned runs on two hits.
Miska (14-2) lasted just an inning and two-thirds. She struck out five, but issued five walks, including two with the bases loaded. Brittany Rheault (SR/West Fargo, ND) went 2 2/3 innings, giving up two runs on four hits. Jasmine Pipella (FR/Boissevain, MB) also went 2 2/3 in the circle, surrendering three runs on seven hits.
Game two of the series saw Jamestown get off to a quick start.
Emma Keller led off with a single and moved to second on a wild pitch by Abi Brooks. Mikayla Frost doubled home Keller, then later scored on a passed ball to make it 2-0.
RBI doubles by Sydney Prussia (FR/Detroit Lakes, MN) and Keller in the sixth made it 4-0 in favor of Jamestown. Caitlyn Courtney (SO/Caldwell, TX) had a pinch-hit RBI single in the top of the seventh to give the Jimmies a 5-0 lead.
The Blue Hawks rallied in the bottom of the seventh. Sarah Dobitz led off with a single, then Andrea Rodriguez followed with an RBI double to make it 5-1.
Brittany Rheault replaced Kat Miska and retired the first batter she faced on a groundout.
Rachael Dillon doubled in Rodriguez to make it 5-2, then scored on a single by Mariah Gamboa. Rheault then induced another groundout and got a pop out to second base for the final out and the victory.
Miska (15-2) rebounded from her control problems in game one, pitching six innings and allowing just one run on eight hits. She struck out four and did not walk a batter. Rheault earned her second save of the season.
Abi Brooks (14-8 ) gave up three runs on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings. Jalen Creech pitched the final 1 2/3 innings for Dickinson State, allowing two runs on three hits.
Keller led the Jimmie offense with three hits and an RBI. Meghan Ramage (JR/Grand Forks, ND) added two hits. ifani Schorzman, Caitlyn Courtney and Sydney Prussia each had a hit and an RBI.
Dillon and Rodriguez each singled, doubled, and drove in a run for the Blue Hawks. Sonja Lawrence and Sarah Dobitz each had two hits.
Keller led the Jimmies’ offense attack with three hits (one double) and an RBI. Meghan Ramage added two hits. Tifani Schorzman (SR/Coeur d’Alene, ID), Courtney and Prussia each collected a hit and an RBI.
Jamestown (43-7) won for the 19th time in their last 20 games, while the Blue Hawks (29-19) lost for just the third time in the last 14 games. Game 3 is set for Monday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. The winner moves on to the NAIA Softball National Tournament Opening Round on May 14-16.