CLEARWATER, Fla. – North Dakota State rallied for a 3-2 win over Florida Gulf Coast on Sunday, March 17, in the USF-Michelle Smith Pediatric Cancer Spring Invitational at the Eddie C. Moore Softball Complex. The Bison completed the tournament with a 5-0 record and have won eight straight.  
 
NDSU (18-11) is scheduled to open Summit League play with a three-game series at Purdue Fort Wayne (5-14) on March 23-24.
 
Florida Gulf Coast (13-12) jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, scoring single runs in the first and second innings. Racquel Fournet had a RBI single in the top of the first and Kate Kelly doubled down the left field line with two outs to knock in a run. Kelly finished 3-for-4 for the Eagles.
 
North Dakota State did all of its scoring in the bottom of the third. Maddie Hansen smacked a double to left center to score Madyson Camacho. Zoe Stavrou scored when Cara Beatty dropped down a sacrifice bunt. Hansen crossed the plate on Stephanie Soriano's RBI single. Soriano led the Bison with three hits, while Hansen had two.
 
Bison freshman Paige Vargas (7-4) settled down after the first two innings and allowed the FGCU only one hit the rest of the way to earn the win. Vargas struck out five and walked two. Morgan White (1-2) took the loss for the Eagles. White allowed seven hits and walked three.