Sean Williams/MDN Kirsten Galloway (22) of Minot High on the mound during a game that occurred earlier this season at the Minot State Bubble.

DICKINSON – Wins over Legacy and Century provided the Minot High softball team the opportunity to win their first West Region Tournament championship on Saturday afternoon, as they met Dickinson High in the championship game.

Matching up for two games earlier in the season, the Majettes won both. This game, however, had much more on the line as members of the Minot softball team were on the verge of making history.

After being held scoreless for a while, the Majettes were able to take advantage of a mistake and utilize timely hitting to win their first West Region Tournament title with a 2-0 win over Dickinson High on Saturday afternoon.

“This is a very hard-working group of athletes that have done what we coaches have asked them to accomplish their goals almost every day. To watch them play together and for each other all season in practice and games is the reward for us coaches,” Minot head coach Gerard Cederstrom said on winning their first WDA title.

In a game that was much closer than the previous ones of the West Region Tournament, it showed that the Majettes can battle and win the close ones before they head to Fargo for the state tournament later this week.

Typically, Minot is able to light up the scoreboard and it doesn’t take long for them to earn a lead. Against Dickinson, however, late timely hitting provided the spark that was able to push Minot to the finish line.

“Honestly, we as a team, approach everything with the mentality to win the moments. When we win as many moments as we can, the final outcome usually takes care of itself,” Cederstrom said

Cederstrom added, “We work to win as many innings as we can, so we are mentally in close battles all the time. Breaking it down to smaller challenges seems to work well for this group.”

Held scoreless until the fifth inning, the Majettes were finally able to score the first run of the game after they took advantage of a Dickinson mistake.

Isabella Anderson walked to start the inning, then Halle Baker looked to move I. Anderson up with a sacrifice. An error by Dickinson allowed I. Anderson to score on the play, as Minot grabbed a 1-0 lead in the fifth.

With runs being at a premium in the contest, the Majettes picked up a massive insurance run one inning later with their only hit of the game. After Ellington Anderson walked to start the bottom of the sixth, Cierra Erickson doubled to drive in E. Anderson, which brought the game to its final of 2-0 in favor of Minot.

The hit by Erickson could not have come at a better time, as it made the hole for Dickinson to climb out of bigger when they had just three outs left in the game.

Minot had Kirsten Galloway on the mound as well, and generating anything against Galloway is a tough task for teams. Once again, she pitched a gem to help Minot secure their first West Region Tournament softball title.

Picking up the win on the mound, Galloway tossed all seven innings, allowing no runs on two hits with three walks and 11 strikeouts.

At the plate, Erickson led the way for Minot by going 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Erickson was responsible for the only Minot hit and RBI in the game, while E. Anderson and I. Anderson walked and scored a run each.

Ava Jahner of Dickinson tossed a great game on the mound as well, making things difficult for Minot. Jahner threw six innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on one hit with two walks and 10 strikeouts. Jenna Decker was responsible for both Dickinson hits in the game.

Following the title game, it was announced that Ellington Anderson, Kinsey Fjeld, Cierra Erickson, Halle Baker, and Kirsten Galloway were named to the All-WDA Team. Minot had the most all-conference selections with five players.

Up next, Minot will head to Tharaldson Park at North Dakota State University in Fargo to compete in the Class A Softball State Tournament. Thursday will be the Majettes’ first game, where they will take on Grand Forks Central at 11 a.m.

“It has been a very busy week with finals, regionals and of course graduation. We are looking to get to work in practice to hone things and to challenge ourselves, as well as our teammates to compete full speed ahead both mentally and physically to make this weekend and season rewarding.”