Providence edges Valley City State 3-2 in FC softball winner's bracket

May 1, 2026

DICKINSON, N.D. - No. 2 seed Providence (Mont.) built a three-run cushion through five innings, then held off a late push from No. 3 seed Valley City State (N.D.) for a 3-2 win Friday afternoon in a Frontier Conference softball's winner bracket game.

The neutral-site matchup in the 2026 Frontier Conference Softball Championship turned on Providence's (29-22 overall record) work in the bottom of the third. Madison Moultray and Kasidy Yeoman opened the inning with singles, and a wild pitch brought Aleana Aionaaka home for the first run of the day. Erin Bishop followed with an RBI double that scored Yeoman and gave Providence a 2-0 lead. Bishop added to that margin in the fifth with a sacrifice fly to center, again driving in Aionaaka for a 3-0 advantage.

That was enough support for Providence starter Alix Bishop (W, 6-2), who worked 6 1/3 innings innings and allowed three hits, two runs, one earned, with four walks and six strikeouts on 103 pitches.

Valley City State (26-25 overall record) did not score until the seventh, when Avery Kuklinski reached on a two-base error that brought home a run. Madden Bogenreif then followed with an RBI single to trim the deficit to 3-2, but Providence closed it out before the comeback could be completed.

Erin Bishop supplied the key production in the middle of the lineup, finishing with a hit, a double and two RBIs, while also stealing a base. Aionaaka scored twice and collected two hits, including a double, as Providence out-hit Valley City State 7-3. The Argos left five runners on base and drew one walk, but made their chances count in the two innings that produced all three runs.

Valley City State got a strong effort from Maddy Hazelton (L, 11-13) despite taking the loss. Hazelton threw six innings, gave up seven hits and three earned runs, walked one and struck out six on 79 pitches.

At the plate, Bogenreif paced Valley City State with two hits, including a double, and an RBI. The Vikings put pressure on late despite being limited offensively for most of the afternoon, finishing with three hits, four walks and eight runners left on base.

The Argos move on to meet No. 1 seed Dickinson State (N.D.) as the two remaining undefeated teams battle for a spot to Sunday's championship game. The winner's bracket game is set for Saturday at 1 p.m. (MT).

Valley City State plays No. 5 seed Carroll (Mont.) in the loser's out game Friday evening at 7 p.m. (MT).