MADISON — Kya Alderson pitched the area’s first no-hitter of the season on Monday afternoon. The Russell-Tyler-Ruthton softball team’s senior pitcher held the Lac qui Parle Valley Eagles to just two walks and struck out 17 of the 23 batters she faced as the Knights picked up a 1-0 victory.

While it was a pitcher’s duel throughout, the Knights struck early to grab the lead. The go-ahead run came with two outs in the first inning. Freshman Laken Baartman took the first two pitches of her at-bat to go up 2-0 in the count. She saw a pitch she liked on the third and, instead of holding out for a walk, she hammered a fly ball past the fence in center field for a solo home run.

The Knights loaded the bases in the third inning when Brielle Buchert singled, Baartman walked and Alderson was intentionally walked with two outs. Yet, LQPV got out of the inning with a groundout.

Alderson’s bid for a perfect game was broken up in the fifth inning when she walked an opponent in a seven-pitch at-bat. She ended the inning shortly thereafter with a strikeout and a pop out.

Russell-Tyler-Ruthton improves to 2-0 with the win. They’ll head out on the road to face off against Dawson-Boyd today at 4:30 p.m.

Minneota 3

MINNEOTA — A late rally by the MACCRAY Wolverines was too much for the Minneota baseball team to overcome on Monday as the Vikings fell 4-3 in their home opener.

The Vikings led 3-1 heading into the final frame when the Wolverines hit three straight singles to start the inning. An error pushed in the first one, a walk tied the game and, after a strikeout, Jase Dirksen singled to send in the go-ahead run.

Minneota had the opportunity to answer in the bottom of the frame but was held to a fly out and a pair of strikeouts.

The Vikings did their damage early. Eli Gruenes led off the second inning with a single and Ryan Meagher walked to put two runners on. After a pair of steals put the runners on second and third, Adam Dalager singled to drive in Gruenes to tie the game at 1-1. Meagher then scored on a balk for the go-ahead run and an error allowed Dalager to make it 3-1.

A Meagher single in the seventh inning was the only other Minneota hit of the game. Carson Javers and Brody Larson each also drew walks in the fifth but neither could capitalize.

Ryan Dalager pitched the first six innings for the Vikings. During his time on the mound, he held the Wolverines to one run on two hits and a pair of walks. He struck out 14 of the 25 batters he faced.

The Wolverines scored the game’s first run when Wyatt Swenson singled, advanced to second on an error, and stole his way back to home plate to make it 1-0 after the first inning.

Minneota falls to 0-1 with the loss and will look to bounce back when they head to Edgerton for a pair of games against Edgerton and Wabasso on Saturday at 11 a.m.