Bluejay softball team comes home, sweeps Rochester in pair of games

The Minnesota West Bluejay softball team, playing at home for the first time this spring, swept a doubleheader from Rochester on Tuesday to push their record above .500.

The Lady Jays, now 5-4, edged the Yellow Jackets 8-7 in the opener. Minnesota West trailed 4-2 heading into the bottom of the sixth but scored three times to take the lead. Rochester then inched back ahead 7-6 in the top of the seventh, but Thea Anderson's RBI single scored pinch-runner Ava Parrish with the tying run and Maddie Petersen's sacrifice fly brought home Cassie Boyum to win the game.

Faith Kazemba had two hits and drove in two runs in game one for the Lady Jays. Kya Alderson, who struck out 12 hitters in pitching all seven innings, contributed a double, and six other players had a base hit each.

In game two, Minnesota West won 8-0 in five innings behind the two-hit pitching of

Gracie Nath, who struck out six and walked no one. Hannah Kazemba singled, doubled and scored three times, and Alderson also crossed the plate three times.

The Lady Jays will host Ridgewater College in a doubleheader beginning at noon Saturday.

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The Worthington Trojans boys tennis team played a meet Tuesday afternoon at Mankato West and was defeated 7-0. Each of the matches was decided in straight sets.

The next meet for the Trojans is scheduled for Thursday afternoon, when they play at St. Peter. Their next competition at home is scheduled for this coming Tuesday, when they'll take on Fairmont.