DEWITT, NY — The top-seeded North Dakota State College of Science softball team fought back from an early deficit to beat fifth-seeded Hudson Valley on Friday morning at the NJCAA DIII World Series.
The Wildcats let up five runs in the first inning and trailed 5-2 after two frames.
Ava Howard tied the game with a three-run homer in the third and NDSCS used the momentous swing to run away from the Vikings in a 13-5 win, improving to 2-0 in its quest to return to the national title game.
Howard had a career day on the biggest stage, batting 2-for-3 with four RBIs and three runs scored.
Katie Edmonds was also clutch, going 3-for-3 while accounting for three runs. Howard and Edmonds did their damage from the No. 7 and 8 spots in the batting order, respectively.
Caitlyn Dannenfelzer tripled and Meredith Frey doubled in the win.
NDSCS collected 10 hits for the second straight game, providing plenty of run support for one of the best pitching staffs in the country.
Emma Johnson was chased from the circle before getting out of the first inning, but Ella Stewart highlighted the staff’s unprecedented depth with a stellar long relief outing. Stewart pitched 4 ⅓ no-hit innings and struck out seven batters to earn her 11th win of the year.
The Wildcats improved to 51-13-1, moving one step closer to the championship round. The program won it all in 2023 and finished runner-up in 2024.