McMurtry powers BU past Trojans in NSAA Tournament Opener

Box Score

NSAA Softball Tournament Central

DICKINSON, N.D. -- Liana McMurtry belted a three-run home run and drove in five total runs to lead the third-seeded Bellevue University softball team to an 8-2 win over No. 6 seed Dakota State University in the first round of the North Star Athletic Association Tournament on Thursday afternoon at the Sanford Sports Complex.

With the win, BU improved to 29-19 overall and advanced to face second-seeded Dickinson State in a winner's bracket contest at 3 p.m. (CT) on Friday, May 2. The Trojans fell to 7-36 and dropped into the elimination bracket.

After falling behind 2-1 in the top of the third, the Bruins responded with four runs in the bottom half to take control. Breanne McMurtry led off with a single, and Mariah Unverzagt followed with a double to set the table. Liana McMurtry then singled to center to drive in both runners, giving BU a 3-2 lead. Later in the frame, Miranda Garcia launched a two-run homer to right field to extend the lead to 5-2.

BU added three more runs in the fourth. B. McMurtry walked, Unverzagt singled, and L. McMurtry crushed a three-run homer to straightaway center to put the Bruins ahead 8-2.

The Trojans scored both of their runs in the top of the third on a two-run homer by Quincy Hartley.

Unverzagt (9-1) earned the win in relief, tossing four hitless innings and striking out two. Katie Cunningham started and allowed two runs on four hits over three innings. Unverzagt also went 3-for-5 at the plate and scored twice.

L. McMurtry finished 2-for-3 with five RBIs and two runs scored. Garcia added a walk and a two-run blast, while Kaitlyn Fisher, Laila Fiscus, and B. McMurtry also contributed hits.

Maycee Bricker (5-10) took the loss for DSU after allowing five runs in three innings.