Chargers outhit Knights

By JEN SEAVEY

Journal Sports Editor

NEW ULM -- Jillian Majeski admittedly didn't have the best day at the plate, but she was able to take one for the team in the four-run fourth inning that put Minnesota Valley Lutheran ahead of St. Mary's 8-2 for the win Tuesday.

After leadoff batter Nikki Flygare was hit by Knights starting pitcher Raina Walter, who took the loss, Majeski was beaned in the left knee to put two on base before Kristi Klingler stepped up to the plate.

Klingler had hit an in-the-park homer to lead off the third inning, so the Knights should have been ready. She hit a long ball to left field to score two and land herself at third base.

After the hit, Walter was relieved by Krista Armbruster.

"It still stings -- that wasn't too pleasant, but I got to do something for the team," Majeski said. "Today, it was just amazing how she [Klingler] did. It's nice to know there is someone on the team that can back you up like that."

Klingler, who went 2-for-4, also had help behind her in the order, as pitcher Alissa Michels hit her home and Katie Ahrenstorff hit Allie Krenz home on a pair of groundouts.

"I think our hitting was on today -- it hasn't been for a while," Majeski said. "And Alissa did a good job pitching. We worked well as a team today."

Michels stumped St. Mary's batters at the plate, giving up only three hits, walking none.

"My catcher [Andrea Ring] and I were working together to put the ball in the right spots where they wouldn't hit it as hard," Michels said.

"Usually, we are good hitters, but we just haven't been on. Then we get our bats going and we can't finish it," Armbruster said. She struck out four of the last six outs, giving up two hits and one run. "The first inning, we did fine, but we didn't hit any after that. We need to find a place where we get all the hitters doing things at the same time."

Early on, it looked as if it would be a closer game. Liza Schwartz began the game with a double to center and scored as Amanda Helget grounded out. Then, to lead off the second, Nikki Hertling reached first when Chellsea Nelson and Kristi Klingler collided in center field. Nelson was replaced by Majeski after the inning. Hertling scored on Ashley Reinarts' sacrifice fly.

Sadie Sabatino and Whitney Haala had the other two hits for the Knights.

For MVL, Janet Duehlmeyer went 2-for-3 and scored a run, and Flygare was 2-for-2 with two RBIs and scored twice.

The Chargers (7-3, 6-3) play in West St. Paul at St. Croix Lutheran at 10 a.m. and West Lutheran at noon Saturday. St. Mary's (5-4, 3-3) hosts Springfield Thursday in a doubleheader.