VERMILLION, S.D. – The North Dakota State softball season came to a close on Saturday as the Bison fell to South Dakota State 2-0 and Omaha 3-2 in the Summit League Championship tournament at Nygaard Field.
 
In game one of the afternoon, South Dakota State would strike with a two-run home run in the top of the first for the only runs of the game. Peyton Daugherty would lead the game off with a single and two batters later, Cylie Halvorson hit a home run to straightaway centerfield to put the Jackrabbits ahead 2-0.
 
The Bison would get a base runner in the bottom of the first and two in the second on walks, but were unable to get past second in either inning.
 
Vargas would be dominant in the middle innings as she retired 12-straight batters after giving up the home run before an error allowed for an SDSU baserunner and didn't allow another baserunner until a two-out hit in the sixth. It would be the only other baserunner she allowed as she finished with a complete game allowing, three hits with no walks and two strikeouts.
 
The Bison would get baserunners in the fourth and fifth, including a single from Skylar Padgett for the only NDSU hit of the game, but were unable to get a run across despite having more baserunners in the game then South Dakota State.
 
In game two, the Bison threatened early with a leadoff walk and single to begin the second, but NDSU could not advance a runner to third in the inning. Omaha would also get two on in the second inning but the Bison turned a double play to get out of their jam.
 
Omaha would strike in the third inning, as they put two runners on with walks and then Jamie White tucked a three-run home run just inside the left field foul pole.
 
The Bison would be held scoreless into the fifth inning when NDSU got its first two runs of the day. Nicole Licea singled and then Padgett stepped up and doubled to the gap in right center to score Licea from first. Later in the inning, Padgett scored on a groundout from Molly Gates to cut the deficit to 3-2.
 
NDSU would get the tying run on in the seventh, but the season would end on a double play.
 
Lainey Lyle allowed three runs on five hits in the game. Licea, Padgett and Carley Goetschius had the hits for the Bison in the finale.
 
With the loss, the Bison wrap up the season at 30-23 with a third-place finish in the Summit League regular season and tournament standings.