Bruins fall to Dickinson State in winner's bracket showdown

Box Score
2025 NSAA Softball Tournament Central

DICKINSON, N.D. -- The Bellevue University softball team was limited to three hits and couldn't slow a powerful Dickinson State offense, as the third-seeded Bruins dropped an 8-0 run-rule decision in five innings Friday afternoon in a winner's bracket contest at the North Star Athletic Association Tournament.

With the loss, BU fell to 29-20 on the season and dropped into the elimination bracket, where the Bruins will take on Mayville State University (10-37) tonight at 7 p.m. (CT). Dickinson State improved to 29-14 and advanced to face top-seeded University of Jamestown at noon on Saturday.

The Blue Hawks took control in the second inning, taking advantage of a Bruin error before Haileigh Davis belted a grand slam to left-center to put Dickinson State up 4-0.

Dickinson State added three more runs in the third. After back-to-back singles and an RBI hit by Allyson Farrington, a two-run double from Cassidy Venner — combined with a Bellevue error in left — extended the lead to 7-0. The Blue Hawks sealed the win with an RBI single from Ashlee Potter in the fifth.

Bellevue's best chance came in the first inning when Kaitlyn Fisher and Katie Cunningham drew walks to put two on with no outs, but the Bruins couldn't cash in. BU left five runners on base in the loss.

Davis led DSU at the plate, going 3-for-3 with four RBIs and a run scored. Farrington finished 2-for-2 with a walk, RBI, and two runs, while Venner added a double and two RBIs.

Mariah Unverzagt (9-2) took the loss, allowing four runs over two innings. Cunningham and Ellie Zoucha each worked in relief. Fisher, Unverzagt, and Savannah Short each had one hit for BU, with Short collecting a double in the fifth.

Alison Eldridge (13-8) earned the win with a complete-game shutout, scattering three hits and three walks while striking out three.