Royals Battle in Williston

The Lake Region Royals softball team traveled west to Williston, North Dakota, to take on the Williston State Tetons in their Mon-Dak conference opener.

In the first game of the four-game series, the Royals kept things close early, trailing by just three runs heading into the bottom of the fourth. However, the Tetons broke it open with four runs in the inning and went on to win 7–0. The Royals' offense struggled, managing just four hits in the game. Alexa Ferguson, Ella Harkness, Mya Dueck, and Ireland Schmidt each recorded a hit.

Game two on Saturday followed a similar script early, with the Tetons building a 5–0 lead after three innings. The Royals responded in the top of the fourth, plating four runs to cut the deficit to one. The score remained tight until the bottom of the sixth, when Williston State added two more runs. The Royals had a chance to rally in the seventh but were unable to capitalize, falling 7–4. Ella Harkness led the way, going 3-for-4 with an RBI, while Sadie Mason and Katie Allmaras each added a hit.

Sunday's first game began as a pitcher's duel, with Williston State holding a 1–0 lead after three innings. Both offenses came alive in the middle innings, as the Tetons added three runs while the Royals answered with two. Williston State extended its lead with three more runs in the sixth and held on for a 7–2 victory. Annabelle Ocampo went 1-for-2 with a triple, and Leta Schulz added a double, finishing 1-for-3.

In the series finale, the Tetons once again jumped out to an early lead, going up 4–1 after two innings. They continued to pull away with three runs in both the fifth and seventh innings to secure a 10–2 win. Leta Schulz led the Royals offensively, going 2-for-2 with a double. Alexa Ferguson, Kaell Klisowsky, and Tristin McTavish each recorded a hit as well.

The Royals wrapped up their trip west with an 0–4 record, battling throughout the series but unable to find consistent offense in their Mon-Dak opener.