Softball Scoreboard: April 18

After wiping the wet field with Ottertail Central in a season-opener 15-1 victory Friday, the Staples-Motley Cardinals’ bats fell silent Tuesday. The Pequot Lakes pitchers were brilliant throughout, scoring a sweep of S-M, 12-0 and 3-2 Tuesday.

Katie White allowed just one Cardinal to reach in Game 1, a one-out single off the bat of Megan Vetsch in the bottom of the fifth inning. The sophomore went the distance, striking out three.

She also helped her cause, going 4-for-4 from the plate with a double and two RBI.

Vetsch pitched well in four of six innings, but the third and sixth were rough.

Pequot Lakes batted 11 in the third, scoring seven times. After collecting a run in the fifth inning on a two-out hit by Jamie Sewall, who had three hits and four RBI in the game, PL added four more runs in its next at-bats.

In Game 2, Lindzee Johnson kept the Cardinals at bay and designated player Mandy Carlson made her first hit of the day count.

Tied 2-2 in the top of the seventh, Carlson lined a single into right field to score Sewall from second. The Cardinals, who had battled back from down 2-0 with single runs in the fifth and sixth, had no answer in the bottom of the frame to drop to 1-2 on the year.

Johnson allowed just four hits and two runs, while striking out none to pick up the victory.

Vetsch pitched a complete game in defeat, giving up seven hits and three runs, two earned.

The Patriots are now 5-0 on the season and have outscored opponents 51-6.

In other games:

Jessica Lillquist plated two Lady Trojans during a 3-for-4 effort and Brett Brockpahler struck out nine to earn the win as Sebeka doubled up Verndale 8-4.

Sydney Weniger went 3-for-3 for the Pirates in a losing effort.

Michaela Lemkuhl blasted the Wolverines past Perham 10-5 in the first game of a double-header. The Yellowjackets responded in the nightcap, earning a series split with an 11-4 win.

Lemkuhl belted two home runs and drove in seven runs during a 4-for-4 performance in Game 1, providing all the offense Caitlyn Volkmann needed to pick up the “W.”

In Game 2, four errors and 10 free passes spelled the end to WDC’s modest two game winning streak. Katelyn Peters collected three hits and scored two runs and Avery Jackson went 2-for-4 with an RBI.