North Idaho earns national berth with win over Rebels

ST. GEORGE, Utah – North Idaho College scored an unearned run in the top of the 10th inning Saturday to beat No. 8 Dixie State 9-8 in the championship game of the Region 18 softball tournament.

The win earned the 20th-ranked Cardinals a spot in the NJCAA national championships, which will be held May 18-20 in Plant City, Fla.

A day after scoring four times in the top of the seventh in a 6-4 win over Dixie State, NIC (24-18) scored six times in the top of the sixth and one more in the 10th to complete the rally from an 8-2 deficit.

Strohm Fouty led four Cardinals with multiple hits, going 3 for 5 with two runs scored and three runs batted in.

Stephanie James (Coeur d’Alene High) went 3 for 5 with two runs scored and an RBI. Spring Montgomery (East Valley) finished the day 4 for 6 with a run scored and an RBI. Christine Shollenberger (University High) also had a big day, going 2 for 6 with three RBIs out of the leadoff spot.

Kelcey Cavan (3-0) got the win, pitching seven innings and allowing three runs on five hits.

Haley Schumers took the loss for the Rebels (35-11-2). She allowed only the unearned run in the 10th in 4 2/3 innings of relief.