Portland, ND - Mayville State Softball hosted Valley City State University Thursday and Saturday for the final series of the NSAA regular season. 



The Comets celebrated 5 seniors - #19 Courtney Boll (RHP), #18 Megan Elliott (1B), #14 Emily Haines (RHP), #22 Samantha Shumway (OF) & #3 Mackenzie Iverson (LF).

"This senior class has aided in the development of younger players and has really shown leadership and maturity through adversity. They were a pivotal part of not only this year but the game of softball and we as a program will miss having them in Comet blue," said head coach Jordan Olson.

Despite dropping the first 3 in the series, the Comets would rally in the 4th and final game to take one from the Vikings.

Game 1 - L 0-11
Coming off of a bye week the Comets struggled to get their bats going in game 1. The wind would be a factor here and Valley City would tally 11 runs on 12 hits and held Mayville State to just 1 hit.

Things would be knotted at 0 until the top of the fourth when the Vikings racked up 3 runs on 4 hits. They would continue with the bats and explode in the 6th inning scoring 8 runs on 6 hits, making the score 11-0 heading into the 7th.

Game 2 - L 7-11
The Comets looked to bounce back in game two. Mayville state did manage to score runs in the first, third and seventh innings tallying up 7 runs, however, it wouldn't be enough to get past the Vikings bats.

Valley City got on the board first with a three run home run in the top of the first. The Comets responded right back when Autumn McGough hit a SAC fly to score Lindsey Tulla who reached on a walk to lead the inning off. 

The Vikings plated another run in the top of the 3rd extending their lead 3-1, but the Comets again would respond scoring 3 runs in the bottom of the 3rd to take the lead 4-3.

Megan Elliott lead the 4th off with a walk and Alyssa Avila then smoked a double to centerfield. McGough was hit by a pitch loading up the bases. 

Ryanne Bass stepped up and was hit by a pitch with bases loaded which plated a run making it 2-3 Vikings.

Erika Howell then hit a 2 RBI single to right center and the Comets took the lead 4-3.

This lead wouldn't last long as the vikings then managed to score in the 4th 5th and 6th inning making it 11-4 heading into the bottom of the 7th.

Mayville State would manage to score 3 runs in the bottom of the 7th but would leave the bases loaded and the Vikings took the game 11-7.

Alyssa Avila was 2-4, 1 2B
Erika Howell was 3-4 with 3 RBI, 1 2B

Game 3 - L 0-2
Game 3 would be a pitchers dual, as there would only be 11 scattered hits between the two teams.

The game was 0-0 until the top of the 6th when the Vikings got a runner on by being hit by pitch and then drew a walk after. Two singles would plate both of these runners and Valley City led 2-0.

In the bottom of the 7th Mackenzie Iverson led the inning off with being drilled in the helmet with a pitch and Lindsey Tulla drew a walk. With runners at first and third and no outs the Comets couldn't capitalize and the Vikings took the third game of the series.

The Comets scattered 5 hits but stranded 9 baserunners.

Emily Haines pitched a full 7 giving up just 2 runs on 6 hits and struck out 3. 

Game 4 - W 2-1
Game 4 would mirror game 3 when it would come to the bats matching the hit total from the game before at just 11 between the two teams.

The game was 0-0 until the bottom of the 4th when Megan Elliott led it off with a double to right field. Kailey Olson would pinch run for Elliott making her way to third base on a wild pitch and Madison Terres would score her with line drive single to right field. 

Valley City responded in the top of the 5th with a two out double plating one run. This tied the game up 1-1.

Heading into the bottom of the 7th, Ryanne Bass drew a one out walk and Lacey Mathiowetz came in to pinch run. Mackenzie Iverson hit a two out single to get the lead off Lindsey Tulla up to the plate. 

Tulla smoked a deep double to right field scoring Mathiowetz and walking the game off 2-1. This is the second walk off hit Tulla has had this season. 

Lindsey Tulla was 2-3 with 1 RBI, 1 2B, 1 BB
Megan Elliott was 2-3, 1 2b
Madison Terres was 1-3 with 1 RBI
Mackenzie Iverson was 1-3

Courtney Boll started in the circle for the Comets pitching a complete game. She gave up just 1 run on 5 scattered hits and struck out 1 giving herself one final win on her home field.

"Thursday we didn't play our best softball. I felt we were a little slow at the plate in our adjustments coming off of a bye week," said Olson. "On Friday when we practiced we discussed the adjustments we needed to make. Both Emily and Courtney showed up Saturday with those adjustments. In Game 1, I felt we had multiple opportunities to win but made simple mistakes to run ourselves out of innings. In between the games we talked about going into game four as the team we want to be next week at tournament and I am proud of them getting the win."

The Comets finish the season at 14-29 overall and 9-15 in conference play. They will head to the NSAA conference tournament next week in Dickinson, ND hosted by Dickinson State University. First game is scheduled for Friday, time and opponent are TBD.