The New Ulm Eagles soared to victory in the Big South Conference Softball Championship, defeating the Luverne Cardinals 10-4 in a thrilling game at New Ulm High School. Despite a comeback attempt by Luverne, the Eagles maintained their lead with a strong offensive performance.
Pitcher Ramsey Hopp led the Eagles to victory, retiring the last seven Luverne batters with strikeouts and finishing the game with 14 strikeouts in total. The Eagles’ seniors, including catcher Natalie Bianchi and left fielder Amber Lee, played a crucial role in securing the conference title.
Amber Lee had an outstanding performance at the plate, going 3 for 3 with a double and two RBIs. Sophomore Lauren Schmiesing also contributed with three hits and three RBIs. The Eagles showcased their depth with hits from eight different players in the game.
The Eagles took an early lead with four runs in the first inning and continued to add to their lead throughout the game. Luverne fought back with runs in the fourth and fifth innings, but the Eagles’ offense proved too strong.
With this win, the Eagles advance to the Section 2AAA playoffs as the No. 1 seed. They will face the winner of the play-in tournament at Caswell Park in North Mankato. The team’s balanced lineup and strong pitching make them a formidable contender in the playoffs.
The Eagles now boast a record of 17-3, while Luverne falls to 16-5. Fans can expect an extended story on this exciting victory in Tuesday’s issue of The Journal.