DICKINSON, N.D. – Hope Ransome pitched a four-hit shutout and the University of Jamestown softball team used a five-run fourth inning to post an 8-0, six-inning victory over Valley City State (N.D.) University in the North Star Athletic Association Softball Championship Friday afternoon at Bravera Field.

Jamestown improves to 33-15 overall and advances into the winner's bracket of the double-elimination tournament against Dickinson State (N.D.) University at 12 p.m. Central/11 a.m. Mountain on Saturday, while VCSU (23-22) faces an elimination game against Dakota State (S.D.) University (7-36) Friday at 5 p.m. Central.

Ransome and Maddy Zander of the Vikings kept the opposition off the scoreboard through the first three innings, then after Ransome blanked VCSU in the fourth, the Jimmies got on the board.

Lauren Weigel led off the inning with a walk, then Maddie Spaeth moved her to second with a sacrifice bunt. A passed ball allowed Weigel to take third, and a walk to Kayla Quintanilla put runners on the corners with one out. Natalie Draper followed with a single, scoring Weigel for a 1-0 Jimmie lead. Kaitlin McCartney doubled to left-center field and Quintanilla scored to make it 2-0.

With Draper at third and pinch-runner Marin Rasmussen at second, the Vikings brought Madison Hazelton in to pitch, and her first offering to Tori Olson was wild, and Draper crossed the plate, pushing the lead to 3-0. Olson singled in Rasmussen for the fourth run of the inning, then stole second base. Sydney Grendler flew out to deep right field for the second out, and Olson advanced to third. Sidnie Aasen then made it 5-0 with a single for the final run of the inning.

UJ ended the game with one out in the sixth after scoring three runs. McCartney and Olson hit back-to-back singles to start the frame, putting runners at second and third. Grendler reached on a dropped fly ball by the left fielder and McCartney scored. With Olson at third, pinch-runner Rylie Welk at first, and one out, Trinity Gregg singled in Olson, and Weigel ended things with a double to score Welk with the deciding run.

Gregg, McCartney and Olson each had two hits. Weigel walked twice and reached base in three of her four plate appearances.

Ransome (11-7) did not walk a batter or allow a VCSU runner to reach second base. She needed only 54 pitches and faced three batters over the minimum through six innings.

Zander (11-11) was the losing pitcher, allowing four runs (three earned) on two hits and three walks in 3 1/3 innings.