JAMESTOWN, N.D. – The University of Jamestown softball team continued its great start to the 2026 season, securing a 6-2 victory over the Valley City State University Vikings on Saturday at the Nelson Family Bubble. The Jimmies pounded out 13 hits to improve to a perfect 5-0 on the year, while the Vikings dropped to 0-2.
Quern Provides Stability in Relief
Jamestown's pitching staff navigated a rocky first inning that saw Maddie Hairgrove depart after recording just one out and allowing one run on three walks. Aubrey Quern (1-0) stepped into the circle and delivered a stellar performance, throwing 4.2 scoreless innings and allowing only four hits to earn the win. Hope Ransome and Abby Blair combined to finish the final two frames, with Blair striking out two in the seventh despite a late Viking run.
Offensive Explosion in the Third
Trailing 1-0 heading into the bottom of the third, the Jimmies' bats came alive with a five-hit, four-run outburst. Maddie Spaeth ignited the scoring with an RBI single that brought home Sonya Rodgers. Moments later, Madelyn Webb drove in Lauren Weigel with a sacrifice fly to take the lead. The rally continued as Sydney Grendler laced an RBI single up the middle, and Natalie Draper capped the frame with a booming double to right field, scoring pinch-runner Kylie Yanzuk for a 4-1 advantage.
Insurance and Defense
The Jimmies added insurance runs in the fifth and sixth innings. In the fifth, Jorja Hainsworth singled to left field to score Kylie Yanzuk. In the sixth, Natalie Webb picked up her second RBI of the day on a flyout to center, scoring Trinity Gregg. Gregg was a consistent threat throughout the game, finishing 3-for-3 with three runs scored and a stolen base. The Vikings attempted a comeback in the seventh when Kylee Banerd hit an RBI double to score Ashlyn Schumacher, but Abby Blair shut the door to preserve the four-run win.
Stat Leaders
Jamestown: Trinity Gregg (3-3, 3 R, SB); Maddie Spaeth (2-4, RBI, SB); Natalie Draper (2-3, 2B, RBI).
Valley City State: Kylee Banerd (2-3, 2B, RBI); P. Kihn (1-3); A. Schumache (1-1, R).
UP NEXT
The Jimmies will play in The Nelson Family Bubble Tournament #2. First games will be Friday February 20, 2026 against Concordia College (Minn.) at 9 a.m and University of Mary at 1:30 PM in the Nelson Family Bubble in Jamestown, N.D.
