Softball Recap: Blue Earth Takes a Loss

Blue Earth had lost 17 straight on the road dating back to last season, but on Tuesday they dropped their record down to 0-16-1 to make it 18. They lost 10-0 to the Fairmont Cardinals. Unfortunately, that's the second time they've come up short against the Cardinals this season, as they also lost their prior matchup 27-2 back in April.

Blue Earth saw five different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Ava Grant, who went 2-for-3 with one stolen base and one double. Sara Wirth also deserves some recognition as she got her first hit of the season.

As for Fairmont, the win (which was their fourth in a row) raised their record to 11-4. The victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 8.5 runs over those games.

On Fairmont's side, Gabby Leiding made a splash while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run while striking out seven over five innings pitched. Those seven strikeouts gave Leiding a new career-high. She was also big at the plate, going 2-for-3 with one stolen base and two RBI.

In other batting news, Gwyn Schultz and Brylee Miller did most of the damage at the plate: Schultz went 2-for-3 with two stolen bases, two runs, and one triple, while Miller went 2-for-3 with two runs, one triple, and one stolen base. Miller has been hot recently, having posted at least one stolen base the last four times she's played. Ilana Moeller was another key player, going a perfect 2-for-2 with two RBI and one double.

Both teams are looking forward to the support of their home crowds in their upcoming games. Blue Earth will host Luverne at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. The Buccaneers are facing the Cardinals at the right time seeing as the Cardinals are stuck on a five-game losing streak. As for Fairmont, they will welcome Jackson County Central at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday.