Dickinson defeats Bismarck Century, sets up an all west ND Class A softball championship game

FARGO — A bit of late-game rain wasn’t enough to slow down the Dickinson Midgets as they defeated the Bismarck Century Patriots 8-4 in the North Dakota Class A state semifinals on Friday evening to advance to the state championship game.

After two scoreless innings, the Patriots put four runs on the board in the third to take their only lead of the game. Dickinson answered back in quick fashion with six runs in its half of the inning.

Following the team’s quarterfinal win over West Fargo Sheyenne on Thursday, Dickinson coach Amanda Mickey was confident the momentum would roll into the semifinals, especially for pitcher Ava Jahner.

“I said AJ was going to come back today and throw a great game and that’s exactly what she did,” said Mickey. “We had a little bit of a struggle in the third inning and gave up four runs but our offense came right back behind her, scored six and got some momentum rolling.”

Jahner pitched all seven innings for Dickinson, allowing two earned runs on three hits. She walked three and struck out 10.

While rain might add a challenge for some pitchers, Jahner wasn’t worried about it. In fact, she welcomed it.

“I love pitching in the rain,” Jahner said. “I feel it helps me grip the ball better so I liked that it was raining. It might mentally mess up some other people but it keeps me strong.”

Jahner said the Dickinson squad is ready to face Minot for a chance at a state championship.

“It’s super exciting to have this opportunity,” she said. “Just to be at state is exciting but to make it this far is super cool so we’re excited.”

Dickinson’s Kyndall Peterson had two RBI. She drove in Baylee Berg with a third-inning double, then drove in Jenna Decker with a sacrifice fly to center field in the fourth.

Decker had two hits and Mayzie Koffler and Myah Merry both had one hit.

Century’s Ashlyn Schumacher pitched all seven innings and struck out five.

Schumacher, Grace Grimm and Londyn White had the Patriots’ three hits. Grimm had two RBI while Schumacher had one.

The West No. 4 Century made their way into the semifinals with a 6-5 upset of East No. 1 West Fargo Packers Friday morning in a game postponed from Thursday night.

After three innings, the Packers led 5-0 and looked to be heading for a shutout. Then the Patriots scored two runs in the sixth before scoring four more in the seventh to take the lead.

Century held off West Fargo one last time in the bottom of the inning to get the win.

“Our girls had a very good mindset all the way through,” said Century coach Darby Krivoruchka of the win over West Fargo. “They saw themselves winning, they were able to visualize it. They used that throughout the entire seven innings instead of giving up when bad things happen.

After the two Friday games, Krivoruchka is itching for the Patriots to get back on the field Saturday in the third-place game against Grand Forks Red River.

“We’re very proud of the team and how they handled themselves this morning and how they handled themselves this afternoon,” she said. “We’re excited to get back out there tomorrow.”

The third-place game is scheduled to begin 35 minutes after the conclusion of the 10 a.m. fifth-place game.

Awaiting the West No. 2 Midgets is the West. No. 1 Minot Majettes in the 3 p.m. championship game.

“We’re excited to face Minot and excited it’s two west teams,” said Mickey. “We’re going to bring our game (Saturday).”