DICKINSON, N.D.— The University of Jamestown softball team captured its first postseason conference championship since 2017 on Sunday afternoon, defeating Valley City State (N.D.) 7-0 in the North Star Athletic Association championship game at Bravera Field in Dickinson.

The Jimmies claim the NSAA’s automatic berth to the NAIA Softball National Championship Opening Round.

UJ capitalized on a six-run second inning and got a brilliant three-hit shutout performance from Hope Ransome to claim the victory.

Eleven batters came to the plate in the second inning for the Jimmies, with six scoring on four hits, two passed balls, and a pair of walks.
Natalie Draper drew a leadoff walk, then moved to third on a single by Kaitlin McCartney, who was replaced by pinch-runner Rylie Welk. Tori Olson put down a squeeze bunt as Draper came home and Welk took second. With Sydney Grendler at the plate, Welk and Olson pulled off a double steal, and Grendler doubled both runners home for a 3-0 lead.

Marin Rasmussen came in to run for Grendler, and following a walk to Sidnie Aasen, VCSU made a pitching change, replacing Maddy Zander with Madison Hazelton. Trinity Gregg dropped down a bunt single and Jamestown had the bases loaded with no out.
Rasmussen came home as Lauren Weigel grounded out to second. A passed ball allowed Aasen to score and Gregg to take third. Maddie Spaeth’s sacrifice fly scored Gregg to give Jamestown a 6-0 lead.

With one out in the third, McCartney singled to shortstop and took second on a throwing error. One out later and with McCartney at third, Grendler reached on an error by the VCSU shortstop and McCartney came home to make it 7-0. McCartney was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate, and Grendler had a team-high three RBI.

Ransome (13-7) did not walk a batter and struck out two in her seven innings of work, finishing the tournament with a 0.36 earned run average in 19 1/3 innings, while holding opposing batters to a .164 average.

The Jimmies will find out on Wednesday, May 7 which of the ten sites they will be traveling to for the 2025 NAIA Softball National Championship Opening Round May 12-15.