Minot State softball closed out its regular season conference road schedule with a doubleheader split against Wayne State on Saturday, April 25. Photo by Wayne State Athletics, courtesy of MSU Athletics. Submitted Photo

Raivyn Millions delivered a two-out RBI single with the game tied in the top of the seventh inning to propel the Minot State softball team to a 3-2 victory over Wayne State in the second game of a doubleheader on Saturday, April 25, to secure a series split at the Wildcat Dome.

The Beavers dropped the first game of their final road series of the season, 3-1.

Minot State (29-21 overall, 14-12 NSIC) got on the board early, scoring in its first plate appearance of the finale. Taylor Smith drew a leadoff walk and stole second before Sara Van Wickler singled her home on an 0-2 count to give the Beavers a 1-0 advantage.

The Wildcats (38-12, 18-8) tied the game in the second and took the lead in the following frame. Reagan Dreilbelbis sent a 1-2 offering from Minot State starting pitcher Sarah Misner over the fence in center field in the second inning for her team-leading 11th home run of the season.

Wayne State would grab the lead in the third, taking advantage of Minot State’s lone error in the game. The Wildcats put runners on first and second with one out. Maddie Scobee lined out to center field and Leah Chance advanced to third on the throw and would come around to score for the unearned run.

The Beavers left five runners on base across the fourth, fifth and sixth innings before breaking through in the seventh. Brooke Hyde led off the inning with a double and Jorja Franzwa had a bunt single down the third-base line to put runners on the corners with no outs. Franzwa stole second to put two runners in scoring position. Smith attempted to bunt in the tying run, but Hyde was thrown out at the plate on a fielder’s choice.

A pitching change saw Jadeyn Stahr come in to relieve Taylor Coleman after 6 1/3 innings of work. She walked Van Wickler on four pitches to load the bases and hit Paige Kellogg to bring in the tying run. Stahr got Taylor Eatherton swinging for the second out before Millions delivered what would be the game-winning hit.

Katie Newberry picked up the win in 2 1/3 innings of relief work, allowing a hit while striking out three and walking one. Misner pitched the first 4 2/3, allowing two runs – one earned – on five hits, striking out four and walking two.

Coleman suffered the loss, allowing three runs on seven hits, striking out six and walking three.

Van Wickler and Franzwa each collected two hits for the Beavers.

Wayne State’s Jordyn Klein finished 3-for-4 at the plate.

The Wildcats were the team with the late heroics in Game 1. Scobee broke a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the six with a two-run double to left center, scoring Emilee Marth and Chance. The first two batters of the inning reached base safely before Scobee came through with the timely hit.

Calley Olson came in to pitch and stopped the bleeding. Wayne State had runners on second and third with no outs, but Olson struck out Dreilbelbis, popped up Lillie Timm and got Haylee Weber to fly out to right center to end the threat.

Chance got Wayne State on the board first, delivering a solo shot to left on a 1-2 pitch from Minot State starting pitcher Kierra Fournier. Minot State responded with an RBI single off the bat of Maizy Whitlow in the fifth.

Both teams finished with five hits.

Kennadi Borngrebe recorded the win in the circle, pitching into the seventh inning. She allowed one run on five hits, striking out 10 and walking one. Stahr earned the save.

Fournier suffered the loss, pitching into the sixth. She allowed three runs on five hits, striking out four and walking two.

The Beavers closed out the six-game road trip 2-4 and ended the regular season 7-9 away from home. Minot State closes out the regular season this weekend with a pair of conference doubleheaders. They host Southwest Minnesota State on Saturday, May 2, and Sioux Falls on Sunday, May 3. Both series are at Scheels South Hill Complex beginning at noon.