April 30, 2026

DICKINSON, N.D. - Second-seed Providence (Mont.) rode a 10-run first inning and held off a furious comeback from seventh-seed Mayville State (N.D.) for a 15-12 win Thursday in the opening round of the 2026 Frontier Conference Softball Championship at Bravera Field.

The neutral-site game quickly turned into one of the most offense-heavy contests of the tournament. Providence finished with 16 hits, six doubles and four home runs, building a cushion that proved just large enough despite Mayville State's 11-hit response.

Providence (28-22 overall record) did most of its early damage in a decisive first inning. Tehneson Ehnes delivered a two-run homer during the opening outburst, and Madison Moultray added a two-run homer of her own as Providence surged ahead 10-0.

The Argos added single runs in the second and third innings to keep pressure on Mayville State after the fast start.

Mayville State (15-31 overall record) answered immediately in the second. Mackenzie Fuxa doubled to left-center for two RBIs to help spark a seven-run inning, and Haylie Padgett later added a two-run double as the Comets cut the deficit to 10-7.

In the third, Antarez Sierra tripled home two more runs during a three-run frame that pulled Mayville State even closer. By then, a game that looked decided after one inning had tightened into a one-run contest.
MSU tied the game 12-12 in the top fifth inning, highlighted by Whitney Rozdeba's RBI double and Haylie Padgett's RBI single.

Providence found separation again in the sixth. Alix Bishop hit a solo home run, and Ella Galloway followed with a two-run double to left-center as the Argos stretched the margin to 15-12.

Moultray (W, 11-7) turned in one of the day's biggest all-around performances for Providence, finishing with two hits, two home runs and three RBIs while also throwing 5 2/3 innings and striking out 10. Ehnes added two hits and four RBIs, while Galloway had two hits, two doubles and three RBIs.

For Mayville State, Padgett drove in four runs, and Ryanne Bass collected three hits, scored twice and doubled. Providence's pitching staff struck out 12 overall, matching the total posted by Mayville State hitters in a high-scoring game that still featured swing-and-miss stuff in the circle. Baileigh Momberg took the setback in the cirlce after working 5 1/3 innings.

Providence moves on to the winner's bracket Friday at 3 p.m. (MT) versus the winner of Bellevue (Neb.)-Valley City State (N.D.), while Mayville State plays at 11 a.m. (MT) against the loser of the same game.