Lady Jays win streak at four after softball doubleheader sweep

The Minnesota West Lady Jays softball team swept a doubleheader at home Saturday afternoon, beating Ridgewater 8-0 in six innings and 8-7.

The Lady Jays, now 7-4 on the season, picked up the shutout victory in game one as pitcher Kya Alderson surrendered just three hits while walking four and striking out 12. Hannah Kazemba paced the offense by hitting a single, double and triple while scoring three times. Cassie Boyum added a pair of base hits for Minnesota West and drove in a run. Faith Kazemba doubled, drove in a run and scored a run.

In the second game, the Lady Jays jumped out early, leading 1-0 after one inning and 5-0 after two following after a two-run homer by Hannah Kazemba. Ridgewater, however, fought back, but the home team was ultimately able to get the final three outs in the top of the seventh and post the one-rum triumph.

Maddie Petersen had three singles and two RBIs for Minnesota West. Hannah Kazemba, Alderson and Gracie Nath had two hits apiece, with Nath getting a double and single. Chloe Ramthun contributed a double and RBI.

Nath tossed the first 3 2/3 innings for the Lady Jays. Hannah Kazemba relieved and pitched the next 1 2/3 innings, and Alderson had the final 1 2/3 innings in the circle. With the win, Minnesota West captured its second straight one-run victory after losing their first four such games. The Lady Jays have now won four in a row and are 7-4 on the season; they'll play two in Ridgewater on Tuesday.

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The Minnesota West baseball team split a home doubleheader Saturday afternoon against Riverland, falling in game one 7-2 and then winning 5-3 in the second contest.

The Bluejays took a 1-0 lead in the second inning of the opener, but Riverland scored three times in both the third and seventh. Tristan Sauerbrei pitched 6 2/3 innings on the mound. Eliecer Gonzales had a pair of singles for Minnesota West and Shahir Brahim, Johnny Ramsey and John Perez each had doubles.

In game two, the Bluejays trailed 3-1 going into the bottom of the sixth but put up four runs. Haruto Endo finished the game with two triples, a single and two RBIs. Ales Zhao homered and drove in two, and Brahim contributed a pair of singles.

Tucker Brandner pitched the first five innings, allowing just one hit and one earned run while walking five and whiffing seven. Ramsey got the win by throwing the final two innings.

Minnesota West is now 13-19-1 and will play twice at Riverland on Monday.

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In boys golf on Thursday afternoon, the Worthington Trojans played at Pipestone Area. The teams competed in a match-play format and the Trojans won, 5-1.

For WHS, Spenser Nickel, Cameron Krommendyk, Gerrit Larson, Ayden Stugelmeyer and Tyson Petersen each won their individual matches. 

Both the Worthington boys and girls golf teams compete Monday in Big South Division events.