Bruins advance with elimination win over MSU

DICKINSON, N.D. — Bellevue University stayed alive in the Frontier Conference Softball Tournament on Friday, defeating Mayville State University 5-3 in a loser's bracket game at Bravera Field at the Sanford Sports Complex.

The No. 6-seeded Bruins improved to 22-28, while the No. 7-seeded Comets ended their season at 15-32.

How It Happened

Bellevue struck first in the top of the first inning. Mariah Unverzagt drew a one-out walk, stole second, and scored when Daniela Ramirez singled to give the Bruins a 1-0 lead.

MSU loaded the bases in the bottom of the second on a single, a hit batter, and another single, but the threat ended on batter's interference. Ellie Zoucha entered in the third and worked around a two-out single, recording two strikeouts in the inning to keep the Comets scoreless.

The Bruins added to the lead in the fourth when Leslie Egan singled, stole second, and scored on Miranda Garcia's RBI double to right field. MSU answered in the bottom half after Lisa-Marie Cante singled, advanced to second, moved to third on Ryanne Bass' single, and scored on Whitney Rozdeba's groundout to cut Bellevue's lead to 2-1.

Bellevue created separation with a three-run fifth. Marguerite Brown opened the scoring in the inning with a solo home run to right field. Ramirez followed with a double and scored when Egan doubled after Breanne McMurtry reached on an error. After MSU went to the bullpen, Garcia walked, and Savannah Short delivered an RBI double, scoring Egan for a 5-1 lead.

Carly Bertolini retired the Comets in order in the fifth before MSU pulled within 5-3 in the sixth. Madison Terres led off the inning with a solo home run, Cante singled and advanced to third on an error, and Mackenzie Fuxa drove in Cante on a fielder's choice. Bertolini limited the damage with back-to-back groundouts to end the inning, then closed the game by retiring MSU in order in the seventh.

Zoucha earned the win to improve to 4-6, allowing one run on three hits with three strikeouts in two innings of relief. Bertolini picked up her second save, allowing two runs on two hits with one walk over three innings. Ramirez started and worked two scoreless innings, allowing two hits with one strikeout. Baileigh Momberg took the loss for MSU, allowing five runs on nine hits with two walks and three strikeouts in 4.2 innings.

Inside the Numbers

• Bellevue finished with five runs on 10 hits, one error, and eight runners left on base; MSU had three runs on seven hits, one error, and six left on base.
• The Bruins went 4-for-12 with runners in scoring position, while the Comets finished 2-for-8.
• Bellevue recorded five extra-base hits, including Brown's home run and doubles from Ramirez, Egan, Garcia, and Short.
• Egan accounted for three of the Bruins' 10 hits and scored twice.
• Bellevue's pitching staff did not allow a walk until the sixth inning.

Top Performers

Bellevue University

• Leslie Egan — 3-for-4, double, two runs, RBI, stolen base
• Marguerite Brown — 2-for-3, home run, run, RBI, walk
• Daniela Ramirez — 2-for-3, double, run, RBI; 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
• Miranda Garcia — 1-for-3, double, RBI, walk
• Savannah Short — 1-for-2, double, RBI, walk
• Ellie Zoucha — W, 4-6; 2.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
• Carly Bertolini — SV, 2; 3.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 K

Mayville State University

• Lisa-Marie Cante — 3-for-3, two runs
• Madison Terres — 1-for-3, home run, run, RBI
• Whitney Rozdeba — 1-for-3, RBI
• Mackenzie Fuxa — 0-for-2, RBI
• Baileigh Momberg — L, 5-8; 4.2 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 3 K

Up Next

Bellevue advances to play the loser of Friday's No. 1 Dickinson State versus No. 4 Bismarck State game at 6 p.m. (CT) tonight in a loser's bracket contest at Bravera Field at the Sanford Sports Complex in Dickinson, N.D.