WEST FARGO - Behind its stout defense, West Fargo defeated Bismarck High 3-0 in the North Dakota Class A state softball tournament first round Thursday night.
The Packers had their troubles breaking through against Bismarck eighth-grade pitcher Jaime Barta, who held them scoreless until Brittany Rheault's home run in the bottom of the fourth inning.
West Fargo added two more in the fifth when Paige Andel scored on an error and Morgan Stirling beat a throw at home on a fielder's choice to make it 3-0.
West Fargo's streak of 63 straight scoreless innings coming into the tournament was immediately challenged by the Demons in the top of the first inning. They loaded the bases on a single and two walks, but a fly out to center field ended the inning.
Starting pitcher Jolene Woodbury settled down from there.
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She finished with 10 strike outs.
