May 3, 2026
DICKINSON, N.D. - Top-seed Dickinson State (N.D.) erased an early two-run deficit and used a power surge in the fifth inning to defeat sixth-seed Bellevue (Neb.) 5-4 on Sunday afternoon in the 2026 Frontier Conference Softball Championship at Bravera Field on Sanford Sports Complex.
Bellevue struck first and carried the early play. Breanne McMurtry delivered an RBI double in the top of the first to score Marguerite Brown, then Emma Crisman added a sacrifice fly in the second for a 2-0 lead.
Dickinson State answered in the bottom of the second when Allyson Farrington doubled home Viennah Meyer, then pulled even in the third on Brooke Lijewski's RBI single that scored Stocktyn Stevenson.
Bellevue regained the lead in the fourth. Mariah Unverzagt, who turned in one of the day's best offensive performances, doubled to left to bring home Lindsey Dressman for a 3-2 advantage.
Unverzagt finished 4-for-4 with two doubles, one RBI and a stolen base as Bellevue out-hit Dickinson State 9-8. Bellevue also got four doubles as a team and left six runners on base.
The decisive turn came in the bottom of the fifth. Lijewski launched a two-run home run to push Dickinson State in front, and Kiley Hubby followed later in the inning with a solo homer as the hosts scored three times for a 5-3 lead.
Lijewski finished 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs, while Hubby went 2-for-3 with a homer and a double. Dickinson State made the most of its eight hits, including three doubles and two home runs.
Bellevue made one last push in the seventh. Daniela Ramirez singled to center to score Unverzagt and cut the margin to 5-4, but Dickinson State starter Ava Jahner closed out the complete game. Jahner worked all seven innings, allowing nine hits and four runs on 96 pitches. Bellevue pitchers combined to cover six innings, allowing five runs on eight hits.
Dickinson State's winning streak continued to grow to 24 games and reached their 40th win of the season (40-12 overall record). The Blue Hawks wait to find out where they will head as they represent the Frontier Conference after winning the postseason tournament. The NAIA Selection Show in softball will be announced via NAIA's YouTube on Wednesday at 5 p.m. (Central Time)/4 p.m. (Mountain Time).
Bellevue ended their season at 25-29 overall record, despite their postseason run in the conference tournament. The Bruins dropped their first game of the tournament and won all elimination games to reach the title game.