April 24, 2026
MADISON, S.D. – Dakota State (S.D.) and Bismarck State (N.D.) split a Friday Frontier Conference softball doubleheader at Thue Field, with the Mystics taking the opener 6-5 before the Trojans answered with a 6-3 win in game two. It was the first-ever meeting between both teams.
Dakota State improved to 14-32 overall record and 6-20 record in the Frontier Conference. Bismarck State is 16-30 overall record and 11-14 Frontier Conference record.
Game 1: Bismarck State 6, Dakota State 5 – FINAL
Bismarck State used a big third inning and a late go-ahead run to edge Dakota State in a tightly contested opener.
After two scoreless innings, the Mystics capitalized on defensive miscues in the third, scoring four unearned runs to take control early.
Dakota State responded in the bottom of the inning with RBI hits from
Alexia Hayden and
Quincy Hartley to cut the deficit to 4-2. The Trojans trimmed their deficit down to one run in the fifth inning on a two-run sequence highlighted by
Lara Dolezal's RBI fielder's choice and aggressive base running, trailing 5-4.
The Trojans knotted the game in the bottom sixth
Emmalynn Rabe drilled a lead-off double and advanced to third base after Hayden's sacrifice bunt. Rabe scored on a passed ball, making it 5-5.
However, Bismarck State answered in the seventh, overtaking the lead on an RBI double by Jordyn Marcoux before pushing across the go-ahead run to secure the 6-5 victory.
Key Performers – Dakota State
Key Performers – Bismarck State
- Jordyn Marcoux: 3-for-4, 2 RBI, two doubles
- Grace Grimm: 2 RBIs
- Lexi Wesson: 2-for-4
Pitching
- W: Kaia Hennings, BSC (2-2) – 2 innings, 1 earned run
- Kya Kulzer, BSC (starting pitcher): 5 innings, 6 hits, 4 runs (1 unearned), 5 walks
- L: Grace Kitterman, DSU (4-13) – 4 1/3 innings, 6 hits, 2 earned runs
- Makenna McGee, DSU (starting pitcher): 2 2/3 innings, 3 hits, 4 unearned runs
- Bismarck State outhit Dakota State 9-8 in the contest.
Team Stats
- Bismarck State: 6 runs, 9 hits, 3 errors
- Dakota State: 5 runs, 8 hits, 3 errors
Game 2: Dakota State 6, Bismarck State 3 – FINAL
Dakota State answered in the nightcap with a dominant fourth inning and a strong pitching performance from
Maycee Bricker.
Bismarck State took an early 3-0 lead with unearned runs in the second and third innings. The Trojans flipped the game in the fourth, erupting for five runs on five hits after
Julia Maldonado hit an RBI single followed by
Alexis Resseguie's RBI single (DSU trialed 3-2).
Hannah McFarland delivered the biggest blow with a two-RBI triple, while
Gabrielle Ortega-Alves added an RBI double to give Dakota State a 5-3 advantage after four innings.
Dakota State added an insurance run in the fifth for a 6-3 lead and relied on Bricker in the circle to shut down the Mystics the rest of the way.
Key Performers – Dakota State
Key Performers – Bismarck State
- Grace Grimm: 2-for-3, RBI, double
- Leah Rolland: RBI
- Savannah Gustavsson: 1-for-4
Pitching
- W: Maycee Bricker, DSU (9-10) – 7 innings, 6 hits, 3 runs (0 earned runs), 3 strikeouts
- L: Kathryn Sliman, BSC (4-10) – 4 innings, 5 hits, 5 earned runs, 4 walks
- Bricker allowed just six hits and no earned runs in a complete-game effort. She earned her ninth pitching wins this season, tying for eighth most wins in a single season with Angela Slattery (2022), Katie Slibowski (2013), and Dakota Novotny twice in 2007 and 2008. Bricker racked up 25 career pitching wins, tying with Dakota Novotny (2007-09) as the fourth all-time pitching wins at Dakota State.
Team Stats
- Dakota State: 6 runs, 8 hits, 3 errors
- Bismarck State: 3 runs, 6 hits, 2 errors
Up Next
Dakota State and Bismarck State conclude their regular season schedule Saturday afternoon with another Frontier Conference doubleheader. The first game is set for 12 p.m.
The Trojans will be honoring their five seniors after the conclusion of the second game.
