NORTH MANKATO– The Marshall Tigers softball team season came to an end in a loss to the New Prague Trojans 2-1. The game before then the Tigers advanced to play NP by defeating the Jordan Jaguars 7-4 on Saturday morning.

In game one against the Jordan, Marshall got off to a fast start by scoring three runs in the first three innings of the game. The Jaguars responded in the top of the 4th inning cutting the deficit to one. The Tigers responded back by scoring four runs in the next two innings and taking advantage of Jordan’s errors, who committed four in the game.

Despite the two runs the Jaguars scored in the top of 7th, it wasn’t enough as the Tigers won 7-4 and advanced to the next round of the elimination bracket games. Lauren Wherry had a team-high two hits and a team-high four runs. Wherry also drove in a run. Leadoff hitter Brielle Riess also had two hits and an RBI.

Olivia Houseman pitched four innings and struck out five and then Harley Beek came in and pitched three innings striking out four.

In game two for the Tigers, it was more of a pitching duel. Morgan Bjella threw a complete game and had 11 strikeouts in the performance. The Trojans came in ranked No.7 in the state, but Bjella and Marshall held them scoreless in the first six innings.

In the top of the 6th, Riess doubled, then singles by Bjella and Regan Loft loaded up the bases for Randi Wendorff. Wendorff would draw a walk and earn an RBI. The Tigers took a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the 7th, just three outs away from closing out the No.7 team in the state.

However, the Trojans weren’t ready to be closed out.

New Prague got two runners on board but we’re down to their last out. Bjella pitched it and senior Morgan Collins for the Trojans had a clutch hit to knock on both runs and win in walk-off fashion, 2-1 while New Prague moved on to Tuesday, Marshall’s season ends.

Wherry and Beek also got hits in the loss. The Tigers drew more walks and outhit the Trojans but just couldn’t get the out they needed.

We would like to thank the seniors Wherry, Rendorff, Houseman, Loft, and Lexie Bednarek for a wonderful final season.