WEST FARGO -- Grand Forks Red River didn't get the start it wanted.
Fargo Shanley, however, did, scoring four runs in the first inning en route to a 12-1 against the Roughriders in the third-place game of the North Dakota state softball tournament.
Shanley added three more runs in the second inning.
However, the tournament was a success as far as Red River coach Mike Bisenius was concerned.
"Shanley hit the ball, plain and simple," Bisenius said. "But you know what? We never gave up. I was incredibly proud of the girls. And our defense made some really, really good plays."
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Red River's strong showing was surprising considering the Roughriders are young.
"Fourth place out of 15 teams with only one senior isn't too bad," Bisenius said.
Red River was led by Janell Carroll, who went 2-for-3 with a home run. Allison Sturman was 2-for-3 while Catherine Dorsher had a triple.
Tristan Webber went 4-for-4 with two triples and two RBIs to spark the Deacons.
Haley Vangerud, Amber Kilen, Ashley Peterson and Blair Smart each added two hits for Shanley, which finished with a 20-5 record.
"The girls came out hitting well," Shanley coach Ryan Langlie said. "The one advantage of the single elimination (tournament) is you can end your season on a win and that's especially nice for the seniors."
Championship
West Fargo 7, Fargo North 6: West Fargo did something for a 12th consecutive time Saturday, yet it still accomplished a first.
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The Packers scored two sixth-inning runs to earn a 7-6 victory against Fargo North to win the first North Dakota High School Activities Association state softball championship.
"I think it validates the sport and it validates what we've been doing for the last 16 years," said West Fargo coach Pat Johnson, in his 16th season. "Not just for us but for the North program and the South program, the ones that helped start this, and for everyone."
West Fargo (22-5) had won 11 previous state crowns when softball was a club sport. Now, the Packers have won 12 in a row, including the state's first sanctioned championship.
"Now we get our picture on the wall in the school and we get our names on the signs, it's just exciting to get noticed as a school sport," said West Fargo senior Jessica Woodbury, who played varsity softball in New Ulm, Minn., the previous three seasons.
Fifth place
Minot 5, Minot Ryan 3: Paige Ronnie went 3-for-4 and scored runs as Minot took fifth place.
Beth Jundt paced Ryan, going 3-for-4 with one run and one RBI.
Ryan scored two runs in the first, but Minot gained control with a four-run fourth.
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Seventh place
Devils Lake 4, Fargo South 3: Kayla Trottier's single in the sixth inning proved to be the game-winning RBI as the Firebirds overcame a 3-0 deficit in the first inning to claim seventh.
Breanna Olson was the winning pitcher. She held South to four hits.
South was led by Amanda Dukart, who was 2-for-4.
