Softball Season Comes to an End in Region Play

The Royals softball team traveled to Minnesota for regional tournament play at Dakota County Technical College. Entering the tournament as the No. 5 seed, the Royals opened play Thursday against No. 4 seed Williston State College.

The Royals came out with energy right away, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning. Walks by Alexa Ferguson, Ella Harkness, and Payton Durand loaded the bases before Kaell Klisowsky delivered a two-run double to right field for an early 2-0 lead.

The offense stayed hot in the second inning, drawing six walks while Klisowsky added another double. The Royals scored five more runs to extend their advantage to 7-0 heading into the third inning. They added two more runs in the third after Harkness reached on a bunt single and the Tetons committed a pair of throwing errors.

Williston State finally responded offensively, scoring three runs in the bottom of the third and four more in the fourth to cut the Royals' lead to 9-7 entering the fifth inning. The Royals answered with two insurance runs after Ferguson reached on an error, Harkness walked, and both Leta Schulz and Durand drove in runs with singles to make it 11-7. The Tetons added one run in the bottom half of the inning to pull within three.

The score remained unchanged until the bottom of the final inning when Williston threatened to complete a comeback. After a double, single, and walk loaded the pressure on the Royals, Ireland Schmidt entered the circle and shut the door to secure the 11-9 upset victory.

Following the win, the Royals faced top-seeded Dawson Community College later Thursday evening. The Royals' offense cooled off as the Buccaneers jumped out to a 3-0 lead.

In the third inning, the Royals threatened when Faith Spence singled, Ferguson walked, and Harkness singled to load the bases with one out. However, the rally ended with a fly out and strikeout. Dawson added two more runs in the bottom of the inning to make it 5-0 before erupting for seven runs in the fourth, highlighted by a three-run home run, to take a commanding 12-0 lead.

The Royals attempted to rally in the fifth as Harkness and Schulz both singled, but the comeback fell short in a 12-0 loss.

Facing elimination Friday, the Royals took on No. 2 seed Miles Community College. The Pioneers scored two runs in both the first and second innings to take a 4-0 lead.

After a scoreless third inning, the Royals got on the board in the fourth when Durand singled and Schmidt reached on an error, cutting the deficit to 4-1.

The Royals threatened again in the sixth inning with consecutive singles from Schulz, Durand, and Dueck to score a run. Schmidt then walked to load the bases with no outs, but the next three Royals batters struck out to end the inning.

Miles Community College responded with four insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth on three singles and a double to extend the lead to 8-2. The Royals were unable to score in the seventh inning, ending their season with an 8-2 defeat.

The Royals concluded their season with a 7-37 overall record.