North Dakota State College of Science’s softball team moved on to the semifinal round of the NJCAA Division III National Tournament with a pair of wins on Wednesday.

The Wildcats claimed a 5-3 win over Minnesota North College-Itasca to open the tournament. The game was knotted at 3-3 when a pair of runs in the sixth gave NDSCS the victory.

Riley Tappy had an inside the park home run to tie the game in the fifth and hit the go-ahead RBI single in the sixth.

Ashley Bisping went the first four innings and gave up three runs with only one being earned. She gave up five hits and two walks while striking out four.

Katelyn Strauss went the final three innings and also fanned four batters. She didn’t give up any hits and walked one batter.

The second game was an 8-4 victory over Herkimer College.

The Wildcats outhit their foes 13-6 with Shai Pachel notching a triple and two singles in the leadoff spot.

Amanda Hiner and Karissa Comer each plated two runs.

Strauss went the distance on the hill for NDSCS, giving up six hits and three walks while striking out five. Three of the four runs were earned.

The semifinal bout will feature NDSCS taking on Corning Community College at 6 p.m. Thursday.