Minot State’s Sara Van Wickler went 2-for-4 with a triple, double, three RBIs and a run scored during the Beavers’ 9-6 victory over Minnesota Duluth in the opening round of the NSIC Tournament on Wednesday, May 6, at Bowden Field in Sioux Falls, S.D. Mike Kraft/MDN

The Minot State softball team produced four extra-base hits and came back from an early three-run deficit to get past Minnesota Duluth, 9-6, in the opening round of the NSIC Tournament on Wednesday, May 6, at Bowden Field in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Sara Van Wickler led the Beavers offense with a triple, double, three RBIs and a run scored as No. 7 seed Minot State advanced to the quarterfinal round, where it will play No. 2 seed St. Cloud State on Thursday, May 7, at 3 p.m. The Beavers won a postseason contest against the Bulldogs for the first time since 2013.

The Beavers (34-21) found themselves trailing before they stepped up to the plate for the first time this postseason, surrendering two runs to the Bulldogs in the top of the first. Sierra Thomas scored on a wild pitch and Morgan McMillan plated Thomas on an RBI single up the middle. Minot State starting pitcher Kierra Fournier limited the damage, getting Serena Timmer to pop out to Van Wickler in right field in foul territory with the bases loaded.

Minot State got a run back in the bottom half with the first of two extra-base hits from Van Wickler. She tripled on the first pitch she saw from Duluth starting pitcher Emmie Sylvia-Cochran to score Taylor Smith from first.

The Bulldogs (30-24) stretched their lead to 4-1 in the second when Ava Johnson connected on a two-run home run to left center. It was the lone long ball for either team.

The Beavers responded with a four-run bottom of the second, ending Sylvia-Cochran day in the circle after just 1 1/3 innings. Minot State brought 10 batters to the plate and scored its runs on just two hits. The Beavers took advantage of a Duluth error, three walks and a hit batter.

The Bulldogs committed three errors over the course of seven innings, the first coming off a sacrifice bunt from Jorja Franzwa. An off-target throw to first allowed Franzwa to advance to second and score Ellington Anderson. Van Wickler followed with a two-run double to left to tie the game. Allyssa Williams relieved Sylvia-Cochran after Van Wickler’s third RBI of the game. Williams walked Mallory Hoogensen and Raivyn Millions to load the bases and proceeded to hit Sarah Misner to give Minot State a 5-4 lead.

Both teams traded runs in the third and the fifth. Franzwa again benefited from a throwing error off a sacrifice bunt to score a run in the third and Smith tripled to right in the fifth to drive in Anderson for a 7-6 lead.

Minot State provided itself a bit of cushion with a two-run sixth. Hoogensen doubled in Lanae Kimbley and Misner recorded an RBI groundout that allowed Isabelle Anderson to score.

Duluth brought the potential game-tying run to the plate with two outs in the top of the seventh when Paige Johnson came in to pinch hit with runners on first and second. But Katie Newberry got her to fly out to end the game and advance to the quarterfinals.

Newberry picked up the win in four innings of relief. She allowed one run on three hits, striking out six and walking three. Fournier pitched the first three innings, allowing five runs on six hits, striking out two and walking two.

Williams suffered the loss for the Bulldogs in 3 2/3 innings of work. She surrendered four runs – three earned – on four hits, striking out one and walking four.

The Beavers have won their opening round game at the NSIC Tournament three of the last four years. Minot State split a doubleheader against its next opponent in St. Cloud State back on March 21. The Beavers lost the opener 1-0 before winning the finale 4-3.