Blue Hawks down Waldorf to kick off NSAA tourney play

DICKINSON, N.D.  – Despite the fast start by the host-team and third-seeded Dickinson State (N.D.), sixth-seeded Waldorf (Iowa) rallied back to knot the game at 4-4 in the top third inning Friday evening at Bravera Field in the opening round of North Star Athletic Association Softball Postseason Tournament.  The Blue Hawks answered with three runs in the bottom third and pulled away past the Warriors 9-4 to set up the winner's bracket versus No. 2 seed Valley City State (N.D.) Saturday at 3 p.m. (Central Time)/2 p.m. (Mountain Time).

Dickinson State, who evened their overall record at 23-23, exploded for four runs in the bottom first.  Rhea Paiva led off with a walk and swiped to second base.  She advanced to third after WU's error on the same play.  After Kara Conway's walk, both swiped a base allowing DiSU to earn a 1-0 lead.

After two outs were recorded in the bottom first, the Blue Hawks continued their scoring surge as Cassidy Venner hit an RBI single followed by Madeline Peralta's 2-RBI double to widen their lead to 4-0.

Waldorf (13-29 overall record), who will face No. 5 seed Viterbo (Wis.) in the first elimination game Saturday morning at 11 a.m. (CT/10 a.m. (MT), got on the scoreboard in the top second with a pair of runs, thanks to Paige Pierson's 2-RBI double to cut Dickinson State's lead to 4-2.

Annah Sheffield and McKenna Mentink hit back-to-back RBI singles with two outs to tie the game at 4-4 in the top third frame.

Venner and Peralta capped DiSU's three-run production with back-to-back RBI doubles to regain their lead at 7-4 in the bottom third.

Dickinson State's lead grew to 9-4 as Ari Martinez drilled an RBI triple followed by Hailey Enriquez's RBI single.

Peralta went perfect at the plate, going 3-of-3 with two doubles, single, and drove in three runs for DiSU.  Venner added a double, single and two RBIs.  Martinez tallied a triple, double and an RBI. Dallis Mitchell and Enriquez each had a hit and an RBI.  Paiva had a hit, walk, scored two runs, and swiped three bases.

Martinez (W, 5-7) tossed a complete game for the Blue Hawks, allowing four runs on nine hits. 

Gabby Bierly was 3-of-3 at the plate with three singles and two runs scored for the Warriors.  Sheffield added two hits and an RBI.  Pierson had a double and two RBIs.  Mentink had a hit and an RBI.

Mentink (L, 5-10) took the setback after pitching 2 1/3 innings in the circle for WU.  She gave up seven runs on five hits.  Maddie Dalke worked for 3 2/3 innings in relief, allowing two runs on six hits.