RTR 12, RRC/WWG 1

WALNUT GROVE — The Russell-Tyler-Ruthton softball team remained perfect on Thursday as they coasted to a 12-1 road win over Red Rock Central/Westbrook-Walnut Grove in five innings.

Senior pitcher Kya Alderson had another sensational game for the Knights, She struck out 16 of the 19 batters she faced over nine innings, surrendering just three hits and one unearned run.

The Knights scored a pair of first-inning runs when Alderson singled and scored on a Laken Baartman double and Daryssa Cruz singled to score Baartman.

Yet, the Falcons rebuttaled in the bottom of the frame. Addeson Jenniges reached on a dropped third strike, advanced to second on an Ella Erickson bunt single and scored on a Natalie Wahl line drive to right field. Alderson limited the damage by striking out each of the next three batters in a total of nine pitches to end the frame.

The Knights added to their lead when Briella Buchert walked to lead off the second inning and, after consecutive outs, RRC/WWG intentionally walked Alderson. Baartman then drilled a ground ball to shortstop and Buchert scored on an error to make the score 3-1 in favor of the Knights.

It was the fourth inning that the Knights pulled away. Madi Burns, Cruz, Olivia Lange and Lily Klumper each singled in the inning, Alderson and Baartman walked on four pitches and Buchert hit a two-run double. Cruz also drove in a pair of runs with her single while Lange drove in one run.

Carlie Ross pitched all five innings for RRC/WWG, allowing 12 hits and eight walks while striking out three batters.

RTR improves to a perfect 4-0 with the win while RRC/WWG falls to 2-2. The Knights will go on the road to take on Tracy-Milroy-Balaton today at 4:30 p.m. while RRC/WWG will host Nicollet in Walnut Grove at the same time.

MCC 6, A/E 5

SLAYTON — The Murray County Central softball team held off a late rally from Adrian-Ellsworth on Thursday night to hold on for a 6-5 win.

The Rebels led 6-1 heading into the sixth inning when the Dragons showed signs of life by scratching a run across the plate.

With their backs against the wall in the top of the seventh, Adrian/Ellsworth put two runners on to start the inning with a single and an error. A walk loaded the bases with one out and, after a strikeout, a double drove in two more runs and put the tying run on second. Yet, MCC third baseman Kate Blankenship fielded a ground ball and threw it to first to get the game-ending out.

Thea Schneider pitched all seven innings while recording the victory. She held the Dragons to four hits and two walks. She struck out nine batters and none of the five runs she allowed were earned runs.

MCC trailed 1-0 entering the bottom fo the third inning. Calleigh Doeden singled to start the frame and advanced over to second base with two outs when the offense started to click. Emmi Peltola reached on an error to drive in the tying run, Schneider and Abby Loosbrock were walked and hit by a pitch respectively to load the bases and Atalie Rosenbrook singled to left field to drive in two runs for a 3-1 lead. Rosenbrook finished the day with two hits, tied with Doeden for a team-high, while Loosbrock hit a double for the game’s only extra-base hit.

The Rebels rallied with two outs again in the bottom of the fourth.

Hailey Peschges and Doeden singled to start the inning and, after consecutive fielder’s choices, Peltola drilled a line drive to second. The Adrian/Ellsworth made an error on the play, allowing both runners to score for a 5-1 MCC lead.

PREP BASEBALL

MCC 4, A/E 2

ADRIAN — A strong combined pitching effort from the Murray County Central baseball team was enough for the Rebels to get a win on Thursday as they downed Adrian/Ellsworth 4-2.

Krew Schneider started the game on the mound for the Rebels, holding the Dragons to two earned runs on four hits over 5 1/3 innings. He struck out seven batters while walking six.

Owen Gillette came in for the hold, pitching 1/3 innings with a strikeout and a walk while Teague Meyer earned the save with 1 1/3 perfect innings. He struck out three of the four batters he faced.

The Rebels never trailed in the game. They took the lead in the third inning when Gavin Gillette singled, Meyer doubled and Aidan Dierks hit an RBi single to put the Rebels on the board with one out.

A flyout put two away but Meyer stole home on a passed ball and Schneider doubled to left field to score Dierks for a 3-1 lead.

The Dragons answered with a run off a passed ball in the bottom of the frame but that was as close as they would get.

In the top of the sixth, Dylan Kluis stole home on a passed ball to give the Rebels a 4-1 lead but the Dragons again made a valiant attempt to rally in the bottom of the frame.

A pair of walks put two runners on for the Dragons and a hit batter with two outs loaded up the bases. Another hit batter walked in a run but, after a pitching change, Meyer induced a groundout to end the inning.

Murray County Central improves to 2-1 with the win and will return to action on Monday when they host Russell-Tyler-Ruthton at 4:30 p.m.