The Beresford Watchdog softball team ended their season with a win and placed 7th at the State A Tournament in Aberdeen held Thursday, May 30th through Saturday, June 1st. The Watchdogs finished the 2024 season with an overall record of 16-11.
Tea Area 16, Beresford 0
The Watchdogs were held to just one hit in the opening round game against eventual state champion Tea on Thursday. The Titans scored a single run in the bottom of the first, but then added six runs in the second, six in the third, and then three in the fourth to end the game on the 15-run rule.
Lily Seivert had the lone hit for the Watchdogs. Rylie Laurvick pitched 2 2/3 innings and allowed 13 runs, seven earned, on 12 hits and three walks with a strikeout. Brynlee Mohning pitched 2/3 of an inning and allowed three runs, one earned, on two hits.
Dakota Valley 14, Beresford 3
The Panthers exploded for eight runs in the top of the sixth, capping off a 14-0 scoring run, to defeat Beresford 14-3 in the second day of the tournament. Beresford broke a scoreless tie with two runs in the bottom of the second inning. The score remained 2-0 until the top of the fourth. Dakota Valley scored five runs in the fourth, one in the fifth, and then had their eight-run sixth inning for a 14-2 lead. Beresford got one more run in the bottom of the sixth before the game ended on the 10-run rule.
Keely Merrigan had a triple and an RBI. Halle Livingston had two hits, including a triple. Harley Koth also had two hits, one a double. Capri Mullinix and Tavyn Valder both had a double and an RBI each. Kennedy Merrigan, Reese Olson, and Kate Degen all had one hit each. Laurvick pitched 3 2/3 innings and allowed five earned runs on seven hits and a walk with two strikeouts. Mohning pitched 1 2/3 innings and allowed seven runs, six earned, on six hits and a walk.
Beresford 12, Elk Point-Jefferson 2
In the 7th/8th place game, the Watchdogs had an eight-run bottom of the fourth inning to help them to a 12-2 win over the Huskies. Beresford took the lead right away in the bottom of the first with three runs. They added another run in the bottom of the second for a 4-0 lead. Elk Point-Jefferson scored their two runs in the top of the third to make the score 4-2. The Watchdogs had their big eight-run fourth inning to go ahead 12-2.
Keely Merrigan had three hits, including a double, and three RBIs. Koth finished with three hits, one a double, and two RBIs. Mullinix had two hits, one a double, and two RBIs. Livingston had a single and three RBIs. Kennedy Merrigan had a single and an RBI. Valder had two hits, and Olson and Degen both had a single.