JAMESTOWN, N.D. – Minnesota State Moorhead softball opened action at the Nelson Family Bubble Tournament on Friday evening. The Dragons began the tournament in a 5-3 loss to Providence before defeating Bismarck State in walk-off fashion, 5-4.
 
Argos 5, Dragons 3
 
It was the Dragons who would strike first after a scoreless first inning. Kayla Roidt would begin the second inning with a single with the Dragons eventually getting two runners on with one out. Freshman Riley McKeever would then deliver an RBI single, scoring Morgan Kingsbury. A few at-bats later, fellow freshman Loie Moore would drive in two more Dragons on a single. Moorhead held a 3-0 lead heading into the bottom half. 
 
The Argos would respond with a pair of runs on two hits to bring the score within a run. After the Dragons were blanked in the top of the third, Providence would plate two runs on one hit to claim a 4-3 lead. The Dragons would earn two runners in the fourth inning, led by a single from Teagan Pranchke, but Moorhead would not push anything across. Roidt would single again in the fifth inning, but MSUM would be held scoreless again. 
 
Providence would hold the Dragons without a hit in the top of the sixth inning with the Argos adding a run in the home half. While the Dragons would get two on base in the seventh, Providence would strand both runners to secure the 5-3 victory. 
 
Dragons 5, Mystics 4
 
The Mystics would break the scoreless tie in the first inning, plating a run despite not registering a hit in the frame. Sami Macchiaroli would earn the game's first hit, but Moorhead would be unable to respond on the scoreboard. After a scoreless second frame, Bismarck State would plate another run to gather a 2-0 advantage in the third inning.
 
In the home half, MSUM would earn a leadoff single from Alivia Henderson. Later in the inning, Pranchke would single, which led to a Mystic error and a Dragon run. Bismarck State would rally back from the error in the fourth inning, scoring two runs on three hits to lead 4-1. 
 
MSUM would show some life in the bottom of the fifth inning after McKeever earned a one-out triple. In the ensuing at-bat, Macchiaroli would drive McKeever home on a sacrifice fly. After Pranchke and Moore earned back-to-back singles, the Dragons would employ the dreaded double steal. Moore would swipe second base while Pranchke simultaneously stole home. The two-run inning helped bring the Dragons within a run.
 
Moorhead would even the count in the home half of the sixth inning after Lacey Camden smacked a two-out triple. Again, it was McKeever who delivered the timely hit, driving Camden home with a single to even the score. Moorhead would keep the Mystics from scoring in the top of the seventh.

With the game in the balance in the home half, Pranchke would single to begin the inning. Moore would get on base in the ensuing at-bat after Pranchke was thrown out at second. Lexie Wilson would step in next, delivering a single which advanced Moore into scoring position. However, Bismarck State would commit a critical error, which allowed Moore to score. The late hit from the senior helped lead the Dragons to a thrilling 5-4 victory. 
 
Up Next
 
MSUM (1-6) concludes action at the Nelson Family Bubble Tournament tomorrow afternoon in a non-conference game against Northern State.