A quick start by North Dakota State sparked a 3-1 victory over Kennesaw State to give the Bison their first Division II Softball Champ ionship May 21 at the South Commons Softball Complex in Columbus, Georgia.

After holding the Owls scoreless in their opening at-bat, the Bison jumped ahead when Nikki Flynn-Gregg reached base on an error. Flynn-Gregg scored on another error before Michelle Wiest hit a two-run double to center, giving North Dakota State a 3-0 lead.

Kennesaw State looked to be on the comeback trail when it scored in the top of the second, but the game became a pitchers' duel from then on. North Dakota State's Julie Fromm allowed only one hit after the Owls scored, and Kennesaw State's Lacey Gardner allowed only two in the same span. Although she absorbed the loss, Gardner did not give up an earned run in the championship game. The win for Fromm was her fourth of the championship.

"The big key for us was to go out and have fun and play relaxed," said Mitch Hanson, North Dakota State head coach. "These kids know how to play softball.

"This is a very special moment. We've been adding together the pieces over the past six years. You have to give credit to the kids, you have to give credit to Darren Mueller, who works with our hitters, and Mike (McLeod), who works with our pitchers. This is real family deal."

For the Bison, it was their first trip to the championship game after turning around a program that was 4-32 in 1995. North Dakota State, which finished the season 68-10, advanced to the title game by defeating Kennesaw State and sending the Owls to survive in the loser's bracket. Kennesaw State responded with a 7-1 win over Bloomsburg to advance to the championship game before ending the year with a 56-8 record.

The all-tournament team included Liza Pepper, first base, Bloomsburg; Tanya Heath, second base, Bloomsburg; Flynn-Gregg, shortstop, North Dakota State; Christine Hochdorfer, third base, Kennesaw State; Wiest, outfield, North Dakota State; Sheryl Marshall, outfield, Merrimack; Shyamala White, outfield, UC Davis; Melanie Anderson, catcher, Bloomsburg; Fromm, pitcher, North Dakota State; Gardner, pitcher, Kennesaw State; Gerice Olson, designated player, North Dakota State; Audra Thomas, Kennesaw State and Seeley Bair, UC Davis, at-large selections.

Game No. 1

Sarah Van Gorp, Kim Mackinson (2) and Pina Fricano; Julie Fromm and Sally Rhein. W -- Fromm. L -- Van Gorp.

Game No. 2

Jennifer Connolly and Michele DiVito; Julie Undercuffler and Melanie Anderson. W -- Undercuffler. L -- Connolly.

Game No. 3

Brooke Morgan, Krissy Stryna (1) and Blake Baskin; Courtney Barrett, Danielle de la Porte (1) and Angie Linsenmeyer. W -- de la Porte. L -- Stryna.

Game No. 4

Heather Hatzenbeller, Melanie Meuchel (1) and Kara Ferrell; Lacey Gardner and Audra Thomas. W -- Gardner. L -- Hatzenbeller.

Game No. 5

Jennifer Connolly and Michele DiVito; Emily Granath, Sarah Van Gorp (5) and Pina Fricano. W -- Connolly. L -- Granath.

Game No. 6

Krissy Stryna and Blake Baskin; Melanie Meuchel, Heather Hatzenbeller (4) and Kara Ferrell. W -- Stryna. L -- Meuchel.

Game No. 7

Julie Fromm and Shelly Rhein; Kerri Cooper and Melanie Anderson. W -- Fromm. L -- Cooper.

Game No. 8

Danielle de la Porte and Angie Linsenmeyer; Lacey Gardner and Audra Thomas. W -- Gardner. L -- de la Porte.

Game No. 9

Krissy Stryna and Blake Baskin; Julie Undercuffler, Kerri Cooper (5) and Melanie Anderson. W -- Cooper. L -- Stryna.

Game No. 10

Courtney Barrett and Angie Linsenmeyer; Jennifer Connolly and Michele DiVito. W -- Barrett. L -- Connolly.

Game No. 11

Lacey Gardner and Audra Thomas; Julie Fromm and Shelly Rhein. W -- Fromm. L -- Gardner.

Game No. 12

Kerri Cooper, Julie Undercuffler (1) and Melanie Anderson; Lacey Gardner and Audra Thomas. W -- Gardner. L -- Cooper.

Game No. 13

Melissa Hobson and Shelly Rhein; Danielle de la Porte and Angie Linsenmeyer. W -- Hobson. L -- de la Porte.

Championship game