Softball Recap: Sauk Rapids-Rice Takes a Loss

Sauk Rapids-Rice had lost ten straight on the road dating back to last season, but on Tuesday they dropped their record down to 3-8 to make it 11. They fell 7-3 to the Willmar Cardinals. The Storm were given a dose of their own medicine in this game as the Cardinals apparently hadn't forgotten their loss the last time these teams played back in May of 2024.

Alexa Welsh made the most of her time at bat despite the final result and went 2-for-3 with three stolen bases, one triple, and one run. That triple was her first of the season.

As for Willmar, the win (which was their third in a row) raised their record to 3-2. Those victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 7.0 runs over those games.

On Willmar's side, Grace Kalkbrenner spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered three earned runs on seven hits and racked up seven Ks.

On the hitting side, the team relied heavily on Lauryn Mueske, who went 2-for-4 with three RBI, one triple, and one run. Those two hits gave her a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Isley Ripperger, who went 2-for-4 with two RBI, one run, and one double.

Both teams will have to hit the road in their upcoming games. Sauk Rapids-Rice will venture away from home to challenge Bemidji at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. As for Willmar, they will take on Rocori at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday.