MINOT – Chances missed by the Jamestown Blue Jays led to a tough West Region softball quarterfinal loss.

Dickinson, starting the postseason stage of its bid for a third straight state championship, held off Jamestown 3-1 Thursday at the Scheels Softball Complex.

Jamestown (16-13-1) twice left two runners on base, including two in scoring position in the top of the seventh.

The other missed chance was in the top of the fourth when Maddie Hoff struck out with first and second and two out.

In the fifth, however, the Blue Jays grabbed the lead.  Marissa Moltzen struck a one-out triple and was brought home on a sacrifice fly by Rilie Wolf.

Dickinson (21-7) answered in the bottom of the fifth.  Maddie Bren led off with a double, then Emily Sayler walked.  Gabriella Sobolik fouled out to Moltzen for the second out, but Bren and Sayler both advanced, leaving runners on second and third.  Kyndall Peterson doubled both runners home and Dickinson led 2-1.

Mayzie Koffler led off the Dickinson sixth with a single, stole second and was bunted to third.  She then scored on a single by Bren.

Brynn Sorenson hit a one-out triple for Jamestown in the top of the seventh.  Moltzen followed with a walk and a steal of second.  But Wolf then fouled out and Brooke Jackson grounded out to end the game.

Regan McMahen (10-3) was dominant in the circle for Dickinson, striking out 15 and pitching a five-hitter.

Hoff (9-8) struck out 10 for Jamestown.

Jamestown must defeat Minot North in a elimination game on Friday to keep the season going.  First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 PM.