BU Softball splits final NSAA doubleheader at Dakota State
Game 1
Game 1
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 0 |
|
|
0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | X | 3 | 5 | 0 |
Game 2
Game 2
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 0 |
|
|
0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 3 |
MADISON, S.D. -- The Bellevue University softball team dropped a narrow 3-2 decision in the opener before bouncing back with a 4-3 victory in the nightcap to split a doubleheader with Dakota State University on Sunday afternoon at Thue Field.
With the split, BU moved to 28-19 overall and 12-8 in NSAA play, while the Trojans fell to 7-35 overall and 3-17 in conference action.
The Bruins have concluded their regular season and will now shift their focus to the NSAA Tournament, where they have secured the No. 3 seed. Tournament pairings and game times are scheduled to be released on Monday. The tournament is set to begin Thursday, May 1, in Dickinson, N.D.
Game 1: Dakota State 3, BU 2 (Box Score)
DSU used a three-run third inning and strong pitching to edge BU in the opener.
The Trojans pushed across all three of their runs in the third inning, highlighted by a bases-clearing double from Quincy Hartley.
Katie Cunningham (13-8) suffered the loss for the Bruins despite a strong effort, allowing three runs on five hits while striking out six across six innings.
BU mounted a late rally in the seventh. After a hit-by-pitch and a walk, Kaitlyn Fisher delivered a two-run single to left field to cut the deficit to 3-2. The Bruins brought the tying run to third base but could not complete the comeback.
Liana McMurtry had a triple and a double in the loss, while Fisher finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs.
Mason Usselman (2-10) earned the win for DSU, while Maycee Bricker picked up her second save.
Game 2: BU 4, Dakota State 3 (Box Score)
In the nightcap, BU built an early lead and scored twice in the seventh inning to pull out a dramatic 4-3 victory.
Cunningham tied the game at 3-3 with an RBI double in the top of the seventh, and Mariah Unverzagt followed with a go-ahead RBI single to right to drive in the eventual game-winning run.
Laila Fiscus reached base twice and scored two runs, while Unverzagt went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Cunningham finished 3-for-4 with three RBIs.
Unverzagt (8-1) earned the win in the circle, tossing a complete-game five-hitter, allowing three runs and striking out two.
The Trojans tied the game at 3-3 in the sixth on a two-run triple by Gabrielle Ortega-Alves before the Bruins responded immediately in the seventh.