Card softball: Elk River is too much for Alexandria in 8AAA opener

• Ellingson

Taylor Ellingson just missed getting her bat on the ball during Alexandria’s Section 8AAA playoff opener against Elk River Friday. The Cardinals fell 12-2, ending their season. (Echo Press photo by Lori Mork)
• Bruzek

Alexandria third baseman Sarah Bruzek tagged out an Elk River runner during the Cardinals’ Section 8AAA playoff opener last Friday. The Cards were unable to get an offensive threat going, falling to the Elks 12-2 and ending their season. (Echo Press photo by Lori Mork)

Talk about it

Alexandria kept its game with Elk River close on Friday until the fifth inning, falling to the Elks 12-2 in the opening round of the Section 8AAA softball tournament.

The loss ended the season for the Cardinals, who had a 13-7 record for the year.

Elk River scored a pair of runs in the top of the first, but, with two on and two out, Alexandria’s Jess Syvrud turned an unassisted double play to get the Cards out of trouble.

The Redbirds were able to keep things in check defensively as Taylor Ellingson pitched her way out of a two-on, two-out jam on a strikeout to end the second inning, and in the third, Alexandria found its way out of another two-on predicament as Ellingson induced a pair of pop flies to end the threat.

Unfortunately, Elk pitcher Anna Pipenhagen was stellar on the mound, setting down the Cardinals in order through the first three innings, striking out the side in the first and third innings.

In the fourth, the Cardinals surrendered three two-out runs on back-to-back hits, giving Elk River a 5-0 lead. Alexandria was able to come back with a pair in the bottom of the inning as Jess Syvrud reached base on a double and Lauren Trumm singled. Sarah Bruzek then singled home Trumm.

One run in the fifth, three runs in the sixth and another three in the seventh by Elk River closed out the season for Alexandria.

“In the last three innings the game got away from Alexandria with some defensive miscues and timely hitting by the Elks,” said head coach Randy Albers. “The Cardinals were not able to get anything generated offensively and the Elk River pitcher Pipenhagen pitched a very good game.”

Pipenhagen finished the game with 11 strikeouts and just one walk in the game.

Ellingson struck out two, while giving up just one walk, but allowing 12 hits.

“I would also like to congratulate our three seniors who will be leaving us. They are Mikayla Lucas, Quinn Kragenbring and Lauren Trumm,” said Albers. “We have enjoyed the opportunity to share some wonderful moments with them and they will greatly be missed.”

GAME SUMMARY

ELK RIVER 200 313 3 12-12

ALEXANDRIA 000 200 0 2-4

PITCHING (ip-h-r-er-bb-so) – Anna Pipenhagen (W) 7-4-2-2-1-11; Taylor Ellingson (7-12-12-1-2.

ELK RIVER – Michaela Bruns 4-4, 3 2bs, 3 runs, 6 rbi; Jayme Langebehn 3-5, 3 runs; Bethani Athey 3-4, 2 2bs, 3 rbi; Jess Neuman 2-4, 3 runs; Asutyn Beese 2-3, 1 rbi.

ALEXANDRIA – Jess Syvrud 1 hit; Lauren Trumm 1 hit; Taylor Ellingson 1 hit; Dani Carlson 1 hit.

Tags: alexandria sports, sports, cardinals, softball