Photo by Jake McNeill: Marshall left fielder Lauren Wherry slides into home plate to tie the game at 1-1 in the fourth inning of the Tigers' 4-1 win over New Ulm Tuesday afternoon.

MARSHALL — The Marshall softball team broke up three hitless innings with a four-run rally in the fourth to secure a 4-1 comeback win against New Ulm Tuesday afternoon. The matchup marked the final home game for the Tigers under head coach Jack Houseman and assistant coach Bessie Skalicky, who are retiring from coaching after 23 years with the team at the end of the season.

“It’s sad, but at the same time it’s been a fun ride with these girls,” Houseman said. “It’s all about the players.”

Lauren Wherry hit a one-out single to right field to give the Tigers their first hit of the game in the fourth. Halla Jo Casavan followed up Wherry’ shut with a line-drive right at New Ulm pitcher Ramsey Hopp, who was unable to make a play after being hit by the pitch. From there, Regan Loft hit a single to score Wherry and tie the game at 1-1 and Randi Wendorff singled to center to give Marshall its first lead of the game.

“We did good job at the plate being patient. We got good hitting situations and the girls put the ball in play,” Houseman said. “Halla Jo smoked one there, Jayda moved them over, Regan got on and Randi, so everyone did their job in that inning to get us a lead and Mo [Bjella] did a great job holding them off.”

Casavan also drew two walks on the day, making her the only Tiger to reach base on balls.

Still, the Tigers weren’t done. Jayda Bednarek reached on a bunt to load the bases and, after a strikeout, Harley Beek hit a double down the right field line to score Loft and Wendorff and give the Tigers a commanding 4-1 lead.

New Ulm struck first in the top of the fourth. Marshall got the first two batters of the inning out before Madeline Backer drilled a home run to straight away center field. The New Ulm dugout rushed out to the plate to congratulate their teammate on the dinger that gave the Eagles a 1-0 lead.

Morgan Bjella started at pitcher for Marshall and overcame her fourth-inning hiccup for another efficient day in the circle. She struck out 13 batters over seven innings while allowing two hits and a walk. She was also two pitches away from an immaculate inning in the third: she struck out each of the first two batters on three pitches before the third batter popped out to the catcher with one strike.

“I’m sure [Bjella] wasn’t happy about giving up that home run, she’s a competitor and so she wants to get back to work out there… the girls responded nicely,” Houseman said.

Mackenzie Enter hit a triple to center field on an eight-pitch at-bat to start the game for New Ulm. Neither team got a hit again before Backer’s home run.

Hopp threw the complete game for New Ulm in the circle. Over six innings, she allowed four runs on six hits and two walks while striking out four. She did not allow a hit outside of the fourth inning.

Enter reached base in the top of the seventh on a fielding error after popping the ball up in the infield. She stole second but Bjella struck out the next two batters to end the Eagles’ scoring chance.

Marshall (11-6) will wrap up its regular season with a road doubleheader against Windom on Friday starting at 3 p.m. before looking towards the section tournament next week.

“We’re looking forward to beginning that second part of our season,” Houseman said. “I have all the confidence in our hitters. That’s when we want to get hot is during sections, and our pitchers are right where we want them to be. Consistent and making good pitches and keeping everybody fresh. I think we’re in the right position to go through sections.”

New Ulm (11-5) will wrap up its season at St. Peter on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.