Region 2 Softball Tournament Loser Out Game – Carrington vs Pembina County North

Recap

It was a rare “Fielder’s Duel” Monday night as Pembina County North clashed with Carrington for a spot in the ND Class B Region Two Softball State Qualifier.

The Grizzlies jumped out early as Remington Larson scored on a Colbie Furstenau fielder’s choice in the bottom of the first to make it 1-0 PCN. Carrington quickly tied it up after Calleigh Hewitt came across home plate on a wild pitch in the top of the second.

The offense stalled in the middle innings, as there were a combined two hits over the third and fourth innings. The Grizzlies got back in front in the bottom of the fifth after Nora Crosby took advantage of back-to-back Cardinal errors.

That 2-1 score would hold until the top of the seventh. Hewitt led off for the Cardinals in emphatic fashion with a solo-home run to left to even the score. The Cardinals were unable to capitalize on some more chances in the top of the seventh, so the game remained tied at two going into the last half inning. The Grizzlies threatened to end the game in a walk-off with runners at first and second, but Hewitt once again proved timely, this time with a clutch strikeout in the circle to send the game to extra innings.

The Cardinals continued their momentum in the top of the eighth, scoring three runs off a pair of hits, while also taking advantage of a pair of PCN errors, to take their first lead of the game at 5-2. The Grizzlies were unable to get anyone past first base in the bottom half, sealing the victory for Carrington.

Hewitt took the win in the circle for the Cardinals, throwing a complete game allowing just one earned run on five hits. Katy Jensen, who came in relief of starter, Sara Jensen, takes the loss for PCN. The Grizzlies end their season at 8-6 while the Cardinals improve to 7-8 with their season still alive. The Cardinals will face either May-Port-CG or a rematch with Thompson for a spot in next week’s state tournament.