Card softball: Alexandria splits at Detroit Lakes invitational

• Kuennen

Eric Morken, Echo Press Sophomore Emily Kuennen went into her wind-up before delivering a pitch earlier this season. She came on in relief of starter Taylor Ellingson in game one against West Fargo.

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The Cardinals split their games at the Detroit Lakes Invitational softball tournament Saturday, falling to West Fargo 13-0 before defeating Hawley 5-3.

It was two big innings that really put the game with the Packers out of reach as West Fargo scored five in the third inning and eight more in the fourth, cutting the game short at five innings.

“Defense, or lack of, was the downfall for the ladies in the first game,” said head coach Randy Albers. “Alex committed five errors, which led to two big innings for the Packers.

“West Fargo is a very good team, and if you give a team like that extra outs, they will make you pay because they are a very strong offensive team,” he added “They fundamentally play the game very well, which is probably why they have won 14 consecutive North Dakota state titles.”

Taylor Ellingson suffered the pitching loss, and Emily Kuennen came in in relief.

Alexandria had just three runners on base throughout the game as the West Fargo pitcher struck out nine.

Game two gave Alexandria a high note to finish on as they defeated Hawley 5-3.

“Hawley is a very sound team that made a state tournament appearance last year,” said Albers. “Taylor Ellingson was able to bounce back and pitch her best game of the year, collecting six strikeouts and only allowing three hits.

“Taylor also had a big two-out single to give the Cardinals a 2-1 lead in the third.”

Dani Carlson drove in two runs in the bottom of the sixth with her second double of the day, increasing Alexandria’s lead to 5-2.

The Nuggets came back with one final run in the top half of the seventh.

“After the first game, much of the team had to leave for prom, so it was great to see some young players step up and perform extremely well in their first varsity experience,” noted the Cardinal coach. “Freshman Anna Lee filled in and caught her first varsity game, and did a great job. Other girls getting to start their first varsity game were Marissa Wheeler, Kaila Dewanz and Joycelin Steidl.

ALEXANDRIA STATISTICS

HITTING – Danielle Carlson 2 doubles, 2 rbi; Taylor Ellingson 1 hit, 2 rbi; Joycelin Steidl 2 hits; Anna Lee 1 hit.

PITCHING – Ellingson 7 innings pitched, 6 strikeouts, three hits.

Tags: alexandria sports, sports, cardinals, softball