May 1, 2026
DICKINSON, N.D. - Valley City State (N.D.), No. 3 seed pulled away early and never let sixth-seed Carroll (Mont.) back into the game, beating the Saints 10-2 on Friday night to close the second day of the Frontier Conference Softball Championship at Bravera Field.
VCSU (27-25 overall record) scored in the second, third, fourth and sixth innings, finished with 13 hits, and secured its tournament survival with a six-inning victory.
The Vikings broke through in the bottom of the second when Jenna Decker doubled to center to drive in the first run. They took control an inning later with a four-run third. Kennadi Stone drew a bases-loaded walk to force in Pascale Kihn, Kylee Banerd followed with an RBI single, and Decker added another run-scoring hit before Anna Kowalyk produced an RBI on a fielder's choice. By the end of the inning, VCSU had stretched the lead to 5-0.
Valley City State kept the pressure on in the fourth. Madden Bogenreif lined a two-run single to right, and Banerd added an RBI double to cap a three-run inning and make it 8-0.
Carroll answered in the top of the fifth, when Brooke Thompson delivered a two-run single to center for the Saints' only offense of the night, cutting the deficit to 8-2.
The Vikings put the game away in the sixth on Anna Kowalyk's sacrifice fly and an RBI single from Ahleeya Nicola.
Banerd led Valley City State's offense with a 3-for-3 night, scoring three runs and driving in two. Kihn also went 3 for 3 and scored twice, while Decker finished with two hits, including a double, and multiple RBI contributions. VCSU ended with 10 runs on 13 hits and left only five runners on base.
In the circle, Grace Folkema earned the win for the Vikings after working 4.2 innings, allowing two earned runs and striking out five. The Vikings limited Carroll to three hits, though the Saints did draw five walks.
Kathryn Emmert took the loss for Carroll after allowing four earned runs in two innings, and Valley City State's offense continued to produce against the Saints' relief pitching late in the game.
Carroll finished with two runs on three hits in the elimination game, with Thompson accounting for both RBIs. The Saints finished their season at 19-20 overall record.
Valley City State continues their action Saturday morning at 11 a.m. (MT) versus No. 6 seed Bellevue (Neb.) in another loser's out game.
Saturday's schedule - times in MT:
11 a.m. (Loser's Out): Valley City State vs. Bellevue
1 p.m. (Winner's Bracket): Providence at Dickinson State
3 p.m. (Loser's Out): 11 a.m. winner vs. 1 p.m. loser