Minot edges Midgets in a Western Dakota Association softball defensive thriller

MINOT — It was bound to be close, with the top-rated Minot Majettes welcoming Dickinson for a classic battle between the perennial, North-Dakota Class A softball powers, and the two teams didn’t disappoint. The Friday, April 11 doubleheader was only the third for DHS of the 2025 season, and the two teams were only 2 runs apart when the evening ended after a 2-1 loss for DHS in the opener and a 3-2 shortcoming in the nightcap, in what will most-likely be a forerunner of the postseason’s tournaments — both the Western Dakota Association and the state tourneys — in May.

Minot (7-1, 4-0 in the WDA) drew first-blood in the bottom of the opening frame as Gabbi Rohrer singled and advanced around the basebaths before stealing home, then the hosts doubled their lead in the third inning off an RBI single from Sydnee Bartsch that plated Darby Mowbray for the 2-0 lead. After shutting down the heavily productive Midgets offense through six innings, Bartsch again scored in the bottom of the frame on a sacrifice-fly from Grace Burdier and left DHS with their backs to the wall.

The Midgets responded with a late comeback attempt that featured a walk to freshman centerfielder Gabby Sobolik that was followed by a double to centerfield off the bat of Kyndall Peterson that sent Sobolik home and carved into Minot’s lead. Reese Ryder came on to run for Peterson and soon was plated on another double from hot-hitting senior catcher Mackenna Medina, adding to the tension, but that was soon relieved on a fly-out to end the game and send DHS's record to 4-2, 2-2 on the early 2025 schedule.

Shortstop Myah Merry and Peterson combined with first-baseman Hali Henke as the game’s multi-hitters for Dickinson, with doubles from all three, but while Peterson absorbed the loss on the night it wasn’t for lack-of-trying as the junior righthander struck out 6 and allowed only 4 hits and a pair of walks.

Dickinson faced a similar situation in the opening game of the twin-bill, as Minot plated a run in both the third and fourth innings, with Rohrer doubling home Journey Larson to open the scoring and Bartsch coming home on an error for the 2-0 advantage.

MHS’s Raegan Tyrell ended up with the late win on 0.2 innings of work after Bartsch gave way to the closer on 6.1 innings and 7 DHS hits. Reagan McMahen suffered a similar fate to Peterson in Game 2, as the sophomore standout threw a complete-game gem that came up just-short despite fanning 7 and allowing 7 hits.

Henke and Emily Sayler were the Midgets' multi-hitters in Game 1, while Sobolik and Medina doubled and Sayler turned in a stolen base.

Next-up for DHS will be a Saturday, April 12 date just down the road at Minot North to face the Sentinels, who come into the doubleheader with a 5-1, 2-0 record.

For more information about WDA softball, please visit https://www.wdasports.org/sports/softball or simply keep reading The Dickinson Press.