Nathan Beitler/MDN Minot State senior Micaela Resler (center) rounds third base to score off of an RBI by senior Paige Kellogg in the Beavers’ second game of their doubleheader against Montana State University Billings at home on Friday, Jan. 30.

The Minot State Beavers softball team opened their season on Friday night, Jan. 30, with a pair of wins as they hosted the first night of their annual Bubble Invite at home.

The Beavers ended their 2025 season with their second playoff appearance in a row, and NSIC coach pre-season polls projected them to make the playoffs once again, ranking them at No. 8. After a bittersweet end to their last season losing in the first round of the first round of the 2025 NSIC Softball Tournament, the Beavers braved the cold weather and opened their 2026 season with a doubleheader against Montana State University Billings.

The Beavers’ doubleheader is just one of five taking place over the course of the weekend. The University of Mary and Black Hills State kicked off the weekend invite with a pair of games before the Beavers and the Yellowjackets got underway.

The first game of the doubleheader was a decisive one. The Beavers were explosive at the plate, scoring three runs in both the first and second innings. The Yellowjackets only struck once with a run in the fifth inning on a wild pitch. The Beavers’ defense held strong through the game, ending with a 9-1 victory in five innings to kick off the season.

“Defensively, I think we’re going to be very similar to where we were,” MSU softball head coach Sal Rodriguez said in a release. “And then offensively, we have a team that’s capable of being really dangerous; now it’s just a matter of getting those clutch hits in and driving in runs.”

Both games for the Beavers on Friday were high scoring, but the Beavers’ defense faltered in their second game.

The Yellowjackets struck first with two runs in the first inning, but the Beavers quickly took the lead in the bottom of the first with six runs. The Beavers seemed to maintain control through the second and third innings. They outsourced the Yellowjackets, maintaining their lead, including the Beavers’ first home run of the season from senior Sara Van Wickler in the third inning. In the fourth, the Yellowjackets were able to work their way back to a tie, scoring six runs before the Beavers could get their third out.

The game stayed tied through to the sixth inning when the Beavers were able to take a 12-10 lead, holding off the Yellowjackets in the seventh inning to win their second game of the Bubble Invite.

Though the Beavers are starting their season with new and younger members, coach Rodriguez is excited to see how they can contribute to the team.

“There’s going to be some new ladies that’ll be able to step into key roles right away,” said Coach Rodriguez in a release. “So I’m excited to see who rises to the occasion and who makes the most of their opportunity.”

The Beavers will continue with their Bubble Invite through the weekend, taking the field against Black Hills State University in another doubleheader on Saturday, Jan. 31.