February 14, 2025
North Dakota State 6, Florida International 4
PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico – Bella Dean played the hero for North Dakota State with a walk-off three-run home run to left field, her second of the day, to give the Bison a 6-4 victory over Florida International.
The Bison took an early 3-1 lead over the Panthers with towering home runs to left field in the third inning, by Dean, and the fourth inning, by Savannah Henzler, but FIU would not be denied. FIU got one run back in the top of the fifth inning when Collier Peader singled up the middle to score Jianna Simmonet. Then in the top of the sixth inning, Kennedy Byrd tied the game with an RBI double to right field and Sammy Zelenka reached on a fielding error which drove in another run to give the Panthers a lead.
In the bottom of the seventh, it was time for Dean to shine. After a walk, a single, and a fielders choice, Dean had runners on second and third with one out, knowing a hit would at least tie the game. She left no doubt, though, as she took the second pitch she saw deep to left field.