Dickinson, ND – The Comets Softball team wrapped up their series with Dickinson State Sunday, as both teams honored legendary Comets Baseball coach Scott Berry and his battle with cancer. The Blue Hawks would be able to hold off Mayville State on Sunday and take the series 3-1.

"I want to first thank head DSU softball coach, Kristen Fluery, her staff and her players for honoring Coach Berry. It was a class act and it just shows how much of an impact Coach Berry had not only on the baseball world, but the softball world as well," said head coach Jordan Olson.

Game 3: L 3-7
Dickinson State got off to an early start, scoring 3 runs in the bottom of the first.

The Comets would be able to score a run in the top of the 2^nd when Erika Howell hit a 2 out RBI single to centerfield cutting their deficit to 3-1.

Things would be quiet for both offenses until the 5^th inning when Lindsey Tulla blasted a home run over the right field fence putting the score 3-2 Blue Hawks.

Dickinson State quickly responded by plating 2 runs in the bottom of the 5^th and 2 more in the bottom of the 6^th.

In the top of the 7^th, Mackenzie Hughes smacked a 2 out double to left field and Alyssa Avila would later be able to drive her in. However, the Blue Hawks would hold off the Comets and take the game 7-3.

Mayville State would score 3 runs on 9 hits coming from 7 different Comets.

Lindsey Tulla went 1-4 with 1 RBI, HR
Mackenzie Hughes went 2-4, 2B
Alyssa Avila went 2-4 with 1 RBI
Erika Howell went 1-3 with 1 RBI
 
Emily Haines started in the circle, going four complete innings, giving up 5 runs on 10 hits. Lacey Mathiowetz would come in relief for Haines, giving up 2 runs on 2 hits.
 
Game 4: L 2-4
Game two would be closer, but despite the Comets late efforts to come back, Dickinson State was able to always respond. The Blue Hawks would score in the 1^st, 4^th and 5^th.

Thing would be slow for Mayville State until the 5^th inning when Megan Elliott led the inning off with a double to right center.

With this hit, she would move into first on the leader board for most hits in a single season in Mayville State Softball history. After this game, she sits at 55 on the season with at least 6 more games to go.

Kennedy Vettel would come in to pinch run for Elliott, making her way to 3^rd on a wild pitch, and Alyssa Avila was able to hit a single to center field scoring her.

The score was tied at 1-1 going into the bottom of the 4^th, but the Blue Hawks would lead the inning off with a triple and use a sacrifice fly to plate another run, taking the lead 2-1.

In the top of the 5^th, Mackenzie Iverson led things off with a single and Lindsey Tulla would be able to hit her in to tie things up.

Heading into the bottom of the 5^th, Dickinson State would again find ways to get runners on base and advance them. They would score 2 runs on 3 hits extending their lead 4-2.

The top of the 7^th, the Comets looked to get their final opportunity to split with the Blue Hawks on the weekend. Tulla found her way on base with a lead off single and Hughes would get on by an error by the short stop.

With no outs and 2 on, Elliott would come to the plate and single to right field, loading the bases up. However, the Comets couldn't capitalize with bases loaded and no outs and fall to the Blue Hawks 2-4 despite out hitting them.

Mayville State scored 2 runs on 9 hits and committed zero errors.

Lindsey Tulla went 2-3, 1 RBI, 1 BB
Megan Elliott went 2-3, 1 2B, 1 BB
Alyssa Avila went 1-4, 1 RBI
Autumn McGough went 2-4,
Erika Howell went 1-3
Mackenzie Iverson went 1-3
 
Courtney Boll started and completed 5 innings in the circle, giving up just 4 runs on 8 scattered hits. Mathiowetz would again come in relief for the second time on the day, she gave up no runs and no hits.

"Overall, we didn't execute when we needed to in either game. We have to find ways to simplify our swings, situationally hit and advance runners into scoring position, especially when pitchers are shutting us down. I think we played cleaner defense, just mentally could have cleaned some things up," added Olson. "I still think this team is still going upward and in the right direction. We will enjoy the light week with no games this weekend, but we will get need to get refocused and prep for Valley City to try to secure a top 4 spot in the conference tournament."

The Comets will have a much needed BYE week and won't play again until April 27^th & 28^th when they will close out NSAA conference play at home against Valley City State.

The team will celebrate senior weekend; more details on that weekend's events to come.

For full schedule details visit: www.msucomets.com