DICKINSON- A run in the bottom of the sixth inning proved decisive as the Mandan Braves advanced to the 2024 Class A Softball State Tournament with a 4-3 win over the Jamestown Blue Jays on Saturday at Bravera Field in the West Region Tournament.

The game was a complete pitchers’ duel early, as Blue Jays freshman Maddie Hoff and Braves starter Jenna Wandler kept the score at 1-0 Jamestown into the fifth after a run-scoring single by Avery Graves in the second.

But in the fifth, Mandan struck as Bella Maleski and Ellie McIlvany singled and Mackenzie Yantzer walked to start the inning.  After Hoff retired the next two, Kaybri Weekes ripped the first pitch into right-center to clear the bases and take a 3-1 lead.

That lead did not last long.  Torrie Mack walked in the sixth and Addy Graves launched her third homer of the postseason to tie the game at 3.  Addy was named to the all-region team.  But in the home half, McIlvany had a run-scoring single for the lead and while the Jays got the tying run to second in the seventh, they could not tie it again.

Jamestown finishes the 2024 season at 18-14.