Luverne softball takes doubleheader over Pipestone Area Arrow

By Stacy Olson
For the Star Herald
The Luverne High School softball team took on Pipestone Tuesday, April 19, and swept the Arrows for the first time in over two decades.
The Cardinals are on a seven-game winning streak after sweeping Blue Earth Friday at home (see the related story), and they’ll host the Edgerton Dutchmen at 4:30 p.m. Friday, April 29.  
 
LHS 6, Pipestone 3
The Cardinals started Game 1 with some strong scoring with two runs in the first inning.
Singles by Billi Connell, Peyton Behr and Carly Olson put runners on base and put the Cardinals on the board.
In the second inning the Cardinals were able to plate four more with a single from Ella Reisdorfer, a two-RBI single from Behr and an RBI double from Olson.
The third and fourth innings were scoreless by both teams.
In the fifth inning the Cardinals gave up one run to the Arrows on an error, bringing the score to 6-1. The Arrows scored two more runs in the sixth, bringing the score to 6-3, before the Cardinals racked up a double from Reisdorfer but couldn't score a run.
 The Arrows were unable to score in the seventh inning, giving the Cardinals the 6 -3 victory. 
Gracie Nath pitched all seven innings for LHS, allowing three hits and three runs. Nath struck out seven and walked four. 
 
Box score    AB R H RBI
B Connell      4   2   1   0  
P Behr           3   2   2   3  
C Olson         3   1   2   2  
R Bork           2   0   0   0  
B Smidt          2   0   0   0
A Boll             2   0   0   0 
G Nath           3   0   0   0  
J Smith          3   0   0   0  
E Reisdorfer 3   1   2   0  
 
LHS 12, Pipestone 7
The Cardinals continued to play well in the wind and cold for Game 2.
Still rolling with excitement from the Game 1 win, LHS started the second game with a double from Connell, a single from Behr, a bunt single from Reghan Bork and a single from Smidt to put the Cards on the board with 3.
Pipestone responded by scoring two runs off one hit.
In the second inning the Cardinals were unable to score, while the Arrows plated one to tie the game at three.
The Cardinals busted open the third inning with five runs on five hits.
Singles from Belle Smidt, Anika Boll, Jacey Smith and Reisdorfer got the ball rolling.
A double from Olson scored three runs and put the Cardinals back in the lead.
The Arrows were unable to plate a run, moving the Cardinals into an 8-3 lead over the Arrows.
The fourth inning went to the Arrows with one run, dropping Luverne’s lead to 8-4. 
The Cardinals were able to plate four runs in the fifth inning with a two-run homerun from Connell, her third of the season. 
A double off the bat of Behr and a sacrifice fly from Boll also added to the score for the Cards.
The Arrows came to the plate with three hits but were only able to score one, bringing the Cardinals’ lead to 12-5.
The Cardinals had one hit in the sixth from Smith but were unable to push anything across the plate. Pipestone scored two runs off a pair of singles, but a double play ended the inning at 12-7.
The seventh inning remained scoreless, giving the Cardinals a 12-7 victory. 
Reisdorfer started on the mound for the Cardinals, pitching one inning and allowing one hit and one run. She struck out one and walked two.
Nath earned the win for the Cardinals, pitching six innings and allowing 11 hits and five runs. She struck out two and walked three. 
 
Box score        AB R H RBI
B Connell         3     3   2   2
P Behr              4     2   2   1
C Olson            4     0   1   3
R Bork              5     2   2   1
B Smidt            4     1   3   0
A Boll               4     1   1   1 
G Nath              2     0   0   0
T Serie              2     0   0   0
J Smith             3     1   2   0
E Reisdorfer    4     2   1   0