James Jackson/MDN After falling earlier in the night to Class B-Region 3 champion Renville, Des Lacs-Burlington celebrates their state tournament bid earned in win over Bottineau.

Coming off a crushing defeat just minutes earlier in the Class B-Region 3 tournament championship game, the Des Lacs-Burlington Lakers would display their unshakeable moxie as they squared off against #3 seed Bottineau for an automatic bid to the Class B girls softball state tournament.

Having competed against each other just the night before, Bottineau was looking to exact a measure of revenge on the Lakers for the 6-23 loss bestowed upon them.

With the contest starting close, the bottom of the third would see the trademark Lakers offense find their groove, exemplified by a triple by senior Mackenzie Rist that just narrowly missed sailing over the left field wall for a homerun. By the end of the third, the Lakers would balloon the lead to 1-8.

Unable to produce anything on the offensive end, Bottineau was left in the position to rely on their defense to fend off the relentless scoring of the Lakers. Unfortunately for the Stars, the Lakers had other plans in mind.

A three-RBI triple by junior Teegyn Anderson in the fourth inning would all but close the door on the Stars, who combined to pad the lead to 1-12 for the Lakers.

Not to be outshined by their offense, Des Lacs-Burlington’s defense finished off the game in style with three clutch, highlight-worthy plays and a final score of 1-12.

Des Lacs-Burlington will advance to play in the Class B girls softball state tournament beginning June 2 at Tharaldson Park at North Dakota State University.