JAMESTOWN – Despite the poor weather, the softball action was plentiful. Games played showcased the pitching, defense and offensive talent in the Western Dakota Association (WDA) at the softball tournament. The tournament provided seeding for the 2024 NDHSAA Class A Softball State Tournament which will be held Thursday, May 30, through Saturday, June 1, at Sanford Sports Complex in Dickinson.

Dickinson 6, Minot High 1

Despite being the top WDA seed going into the tournament, the second seeded Dickinson was tough enough to take the 6-1 win on Saturday in the final game. The Midgets scored one run at the top of the first inning to start the game, three runs at the top of the third inning and two more runs at the top of the fifth inning to build a 6-0 lead before the Majettes scored at the bottom of the fifth inning.

Minot High did have bats working in the game as the team was 6-for-26 at the plate. Senior Avery Lunde was 3-for-4 batting while seniors Ellington Anderson, Tayler Falcon and Isabelle Anderson each had hits in the game as well. Junior Halle Baker pitched six innings and allowed six runs on 12 hits. Junior Raegan Terrel pitched one inning and allowed no runs on one hit in relief.

Dickinson was 13-for-33 batting. Sophomore Kyndall Peterson and eighth grader Gabriella Sobolik were each 3-for-4 at the plate. Freshman Maddie Bren and senior Ava Jahner each had two hits as well. Jahner also pitched seven innings and allowed one run on six hits in the game.

Minot High will face Grand Forks Red River in game two on Thursday, May 30, while Dickinson will face West Fargo Sheyenne in the last game of day one.

Minot High 16, Bismarck High 6

The Majettes used stellar batting to play their way from the semifinal to the final with a 16-6 win over the Bismarck High Demons late Friday, May 24, due to weather forcing game time changes.

Minot High was 15-for-33 at the plate with three errors for the team. E. Anderson and junior Sydnee Bartch each had three hits while I. Anderson and Terrel had two hits each. Bartsch and Terrel each pitched in the game with three innings at the mound each.

Bismarck High was 6-for-23 at the plate with four errors. J Berg was 2-for-2 in the game. B Wrangham, M Jones and J Schell pitched for the Demons.

Mandan 4, Jamestown 3

Despite the 11-1 loss to Dickinson on Friday, May 24, Mandan bounced back to qualify for state with the 4-3 win over Jamestown.

The Braves were 7-for-24 batting in the game. Senior Ellie McElvaney was 3-for-4 at the plate while sophomore Kaebry Weekes, juniors Taylor Arnegard, Makenzie MIller and Isabella Maleski each added a hit in the win. Senior Jenna Wandler pitched six and two-third innings and allowed three runs on six hits in the game.

Jamestown was 6-for-25 batting. Sophomore Avery Graves was a perfect 3-for-3 with two RBIs. Freshman Madilyn Hoiff pitched six innings and allowed four runs on seven hits. She walked three batters and tallied eight strikeouts.