Photo by Jake McNeill: Russell-Tyler-Ruthton's Kya Alderson throws a pitch during a softball game against Lakeview in Tyler on Friday afternoon. The Knights defeated the Lakers 10-0.

TYLER — On a reasonably nice day for softball, the Russell-Tyler-Ruthton Knights entertained the Lakeview Lakers to open up their season. RTR has high expectations for the season, ranked in the top ten teams in Minnesota in the preseason polls. They return seven starters and their entire bench from last year’s squad.

The main returning players for RTR are pitcher Kya Alderson and catcher Laken Baartman, both highly rated players statewide. Lakeview has a team with some experience, with a solid infield. But on this day, it was Alderson who dominated the game both offensively and defensively. She finished with 14 strikeouts and topped off her day with a solo home run as RTR came away with a six-inning, 10-0 victory.

After retiring the Lakers in order to start the day, RTR started their half of the first with a Paisley Thooft bunt single, followed by a Madi Burns double. Laken Baartman walked, and Alderson grounded into a fielder’s choice, scoring Thooft. Olivia Lange singled to drive in Burns and Daryssa Cruz followed up with another single to drive in Burns.

Lily Klumper and Gabi Borresen both had RBI singles to make the score 5-0 after the first inning.

Emma Brusven settled down after a rough start and she retired the Knights in order in the second and third innings. But Alderson matched that by getting ten strikeouts through the first four innings.

“After the first inning, I thought we played them pretty even,” Lakeview head coach Linnea Stibbe said. “We needed to get our bats moving, we needed to get on top of the ball and drive it. We weren’t able to do that today. But we played good defense and held them pretty well until the end. Alderson is a great pitcher, and it is good to face good competition, and it will make us better as the season goes on. So hopefully we can come back better next time.”

RTR got a run in the bottom of the fourth inning with a Briella Buchert single followed by Paisley Thooft getting her second bunt single of the day. Madi Burns drove in a run with a single to make the score 6-0 after four innings.

In the top of the fifth, Lakeview mounted their only real scoring chance when Emma Brusven walked and Kiera Cleamons singled for the lone Laker hit. But Brusven was thrown out by Baartman to end the inning.

RTR tacked on another run in the fifth when Alderson led off with a blast over the center field fence to give RTR a 7-0 lead.

The top of the sixth inning saw Alderson strike out the side to end her day with 14 strikeouts, one hit and two walks.

In the bottom of the sixth, Borresen led off with her second single, Briella Buchert was hit by a pitch, and Paisley Thooft drove home a run with a single. Madi Burns then singled to drive in another run, and after a Baartman walk, Kya Alderson ended the game with a single up the middle.

RTR Head Coach Daren Baartman said, “We started out really well, and I thought we put together some good at-bats. Lakeview has a good infield, and their pitcher threw a good game. But we got things rolling again in the later innings, put some baserunners on, and we were able to finish it off with some good hitting. We are trying to be more consistent this year, putting together some hits and getting some production from everyone in the batting order. We were able to do that today, and we came away with a good victory to start the season.”

RTR improves to 1-0 with the win and will head to Madison on Monday for a game against Lac qui Parle Valley at 4:30 p.m.

Lakeview falls to 0-1 and will look to bounce back against B.O.L.D. in Olivia on Monday at 4:30 p.m.