DICKINSON, N.D. -- After a sluggish start offensively, the Bellevue University softball team plated seven runs in the fifth and sixth innings en route to a 7-1 opening round victory over Waldorf University at the North Star Athletic Association Tournament Friday at North Softball Complex.
The No. 1-seeded Bruins (46-12), who have now won 10-straight games, advanced in the winner's bracket and will meet the winner between Mayville State and Viterbo at 5 p.m. (central time) tonight.
Hannah Carter led the BU offense, going 3-for-4 with a double, a triple, two runs scored and an RBI. Maddie Siedlik drove in a pair of runs and Erin Sharpe, the nation's home run leader, was walked four-straight times.
Neither team could put a run on the scoreboard until the bottom of the fifth inning when Emily Miller scored on a wild throw by WU catcher Trista Bures. Later in the same inning with the bases loaded, a dropped fly ball by left fielder Briley Sullivan scored Carter and Kaitlyn Kinman, giving the Bruins a 3-0 advantage.
The Warriors cut into the BU lead with a solo homer by Kennedy Vinchattle in the top of the sixth, slicing the margin to 3-1.
An RBI double to deep left field by Emily Miller and a one-run single up the middle by Carter increased the Bruin lead to 5-1 in the bottom of the sixth frame. After walking Sharpe to load the bases, Siedlik drove in two runs with a single to shallow left field to make it 7-1.
Kelli Fisher improved to 28-4 on the season, scattering five hits with two walks and eight strikeouts in seven innings in the circle.
