WATERTOWN, S.D. -- The Bellevue University softball team saw its 16-game winning streak snapped as Valley City State University earned a 5-1 victory in a winner's bracket contest at the North Star Athletic Association Tournament Friday afternoon at the Premier Softball Complex.
The Bruins, who fell to 40-12 on the season, will play an elimination contest against Mayville State on Saturday at 10:30 a.m.
After the Vikings took a 2-0 lead in the top of the third on a two-run single to center field by Marissa Hawkins, the Bruins responded in the bottom of the fourth with a sacrifice fly to left field by Lauren Jurek that scored Sami Reding, to slice the lead to 2-1.
A two-run double to left field by Sierra Crocker increased the VCSU advantage to 4-1 in the top of the sixth frame.
The Bruins stranded two baserunners in the sixth inning to keep the score at 4-1 heading into the final inning.
Ashlynne Copinga scored on a wild pitch to give the Vikings an insurance run in the top of the seventh, pushing the margin to 5-1.
Joelle Lamontagne retired the side in the bottom of the seventh to secure the 5-1 VCSU victory.
Katie Cunningham (15-7) suffered the loss, giving up five runs on six hits with one walk and five strikeouts in six innings of work.
Lamontagne earned the win, improving to 21-6 on the season. She scattered six hits with one walk and five strikeouts in seven innings in the circle.
