Four Winds/Minnewaukan needs to win today to keep its season alive.
And it won’t be an easy contest. Grafton, ranked No. 2 in Division A heading into the state tournament, lost to Thompson in the first round to get to this game. And the No. 3 Indians lost to No. 2 Devils Lake.
So now, two of the highest-ranked teams in the division will compete in an elimination game. The winner will be considered the third-place team in the region tournament and will go to a state qualifier game. The loser will pack it up and go home.
Such is the way of a tough draw that includes three of the top five teams in one region.
FW/M played Grafton twice during the regular season. The Indians lost 74-47 in their season opener — a game that notably did not include Deng Deng, who was still recovering from an injury. With Deng back in full force, they faced off again on Feb. 1, and the Indians beat the Spoilers 76-72.
It’s been an impressive season for both teams, who entered the tournament as higher seeds than Devils Lake but now find themselves battling to stay alive while the Firebirds compete for the region championship.
Highlights
The Lake Region State College baseball team picked up its second win of the year with a 12-7 victory over Century College in Central Florida. The Royals are 2-3 on the young season.
The softball team wasn’t so fortunate. It lost a doubleheader for the second straight day, falling 22-4 and 9-1 to South Mountain Community College — both five-inning games. The Royals are 2-10 thus far.
Other scores
College baseball
Dakota College at Bottineau 4, California Miramar University 2
Dakota College at Bottineau 11, California Miramar University 3
Miles Community College 12, Minnesota West Community & Technical College 2
Minnesota West Community & Technical College 7, Miles Community College 15
College softball
Williston State College 12, Bismarck State College 12 (8 innings)
Williston State College 12, Bismarck State College 13 (8 innings)
Miles Community College 5, Madonna University JV 1
Miles Community College 16, Northland Community & Technical College 0
What to watch
FW/M and Grafton will get going in the Region 2 third-place game at 5:30 p.m. at Mayville State University.
The region final between Devils Lake and Thompson will commence shortly thereafter at around 7 p.m.
No. 1 North Star will also compete in the Division B, Region 2 final at around 7 p.m. at Devils Lake Sports Center. The one-loss Bearcats will play a 16-7 North Border team. The third-place game preceding the region final will be Langdon Area/Edmore/Munich vs. New Rockford-Sheyenne.
