Mitchell's walkoff keeps Blue Hawks alive in NSAA tournament

DICKINSON, N.D.  – Third-seeded Dickinson State (N.D.) erased a 3-0 deficit by scoring the final four runs of the game, earning a walk-off 4-3 victory in nine innings over fourth-seeded Dakota State (S.D.) in the loser's out of the North Star Athletic Association Softball Postseason Tournament at Bravera Field. 

The Blue Hawks (25-24 overall record) remain alive in the postseason tournament, moving on to face the top-seeded Bellevue (Neb.) in another loser's out game.  The Trojans ended their season at 15-34 overall record.

After a pair of scoreless innings, Dakota State kicked off the game with three runs scored sparked by Michelle Evdos' double and advanced Carrington Entringer to third base after getting a single.

Rosie Philop followed up with an RBI single to give Trojans a 1-0 lead.  The Trojans added two more runs caused by DiSU's defensive error to extend their lead to 3-0 with two outs.

Ashlee Potter and Rhea Paiva answered with back-to-back singles to start the bottom third for DISU.  Ari Martinez produced an RBI single to score Potter as the Blue Hawks trimmed their deficit to 3-1.

Dickinson State trimmed Dakota State's lead to 3-2 in the bottom fourth after an RBI double by Cassidy Venner. 

Alexa Kappel highlighted the bottom sixth with a double, followed by Kamryn Kuntz's RBI single to tie the game at 3-3. 

The Trojans were unable to convert their scoring chances in the top seventh inning after leaving runners on third and second base with one out.  The Blue Hawks did not score in the bottom half of the seventh with one runner left on base, extending the game into extra innings.

Both teams did not score in the eighth inning.

Paiva led off the Blue Hawks' comeback in the bottom ninth with a lead-off hit.  She advanced to second after a sacrifice bunt by Conway.  With runners on third and second bases with two outs, Dallis Mitchell hit a walk-off RBI single to score Paiva to secure the victory.

Martinez (W, 7-8) collected her third pitching win in the conference postseason tournament, tossing a one-hitter in three innings in relief for the Blue Hawks.  Alexa Kappel started the game, working for six innings.  She allowed three runs (one unearned) on six hits and recorded five strikeouts.

Paiva, Martinez, Venner, and Kuntz each tallied two hits for Dickisnon State.  Martinez, Mitchell, Venner, and Kuntz each recorded an RBI.

Mason Usselman was 3-of-4 at the plate with three singles for Dakota State.  Evdos added two doubles.  Philop had a single and two RBIs.  Entringer had a hit and a walk. 

Sophia Cordova (L, 4-7) started the game and entered the game, taking the setback in the pitching circle for the Trojans.  She pitched 5 1/3 total innings and allowed two runs (one unearned) on eight hits.  Maycee Bricker worked for 3 1/3 innings in relief, giving up two runs on six hits.