DICKINSON, N.D. -- Hanna Dunnigan struck out 14 batters as the University of Jamestown edged Bellevue University, 2-1, in the championship game of the North Star Athletic Association Softball Tournament on Monday afternoon at the North Softball Complex.
The No. 23-ranked Bruins, who fell to 49-14 on the season, will await word of their post-season fate as qualifiers and pairings for the NAIA National Championship Opening Round will be announced May 10 at 6 p.m. CDT. Bellevue will be in contention for an at-large berth.
Jamestown (41-19) received the league's automatic berth by virtue of winning the tournament title.
After Dunnigan struck out seven of the first nine batters, Erin Sharpe led off the top of the fourth with a solo blast over the right field fence to give the Bruins a 1-0 lead. It marked Sharpe's nation-leading 28th home run of the season.
The Jimmies answered in the bottom of the fourth with an RBI single up the middle by Dunnigan to tie the contest at 1-1.
UJ took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth, scoring on a sacrfice fly to left field by Mikayla Frost, following a pair of singles by the Jimmies.
Dunnigan (21-9) allowed just one hit the remainder of the contest and Brittany Rheault recorded the final out to earn the save.
Kelli Fisher (29-6) suffered the loss, scattering five hits with no walks and four strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings pitched.
