Prep softball: Willmar beats Sartell

SARTELL -- Heather Horning struck out nine in a complete-game win in the pitcher's circle and smashed a two-run home run at the plate, and Sarah Roehl went 4-for-5 to propel Willmar's 12-2 drubbing of Sartell on Thursday in the season and Central Lakes Conference opener.

Six players accounted for Willmar's 13 hits and everyone on the Cardinals' roster saw playing time.

"They got their bats going and were aggressive runners," said first-year Willmar varsity coach Shannon Cayler on her squad. "It's nice to open the season with everyone playing. We got a lot of great hits and kept attacking."

Lindsey Atchison was 3-for-3, while Laura Swartz and Anissa Tallackson each had two hits and two RBIs.

After Sartell cut into Willmar's 6-0 lead in the third, the Cardinals plated two in the fourth when Horning belted a ball that sailed over the fence in left field. Cayler said the ball landed well into an adjacent field behind the outfield fence.

Horning finished with three RBIs with Roehl, Atchison, Casey Marcus, Leah Ramon and Kassie Boller adding one each.

The Cardinals resume play Saturday when they are at a four-team invite hosted by Hutchinson.

Willmar 12, Sartell 2

Willmar (1-0, 1-0) 015 230 1 -- 12 13 0

Sartell (0-1, 0-1) 002 000 0 -- 2 7 5

HITTING - Willmar: Sarah Roehl 4-for-5, 2b, 4 runs, rbi; Heather Horning 1-for-3, 2-run HR, 3 rbi; Laura Swartz 2-for-4, 2 rbi; Lindsey Atchison 3-for-3, 2 runs, rbi; Addy Nelsen 1-for-4, 2b; Anissa Tallackson 2-for-3, 2 rbi ... Sartell: Allie Hayes 2-for-3, 2b, 2 rbi; Emily Nistler 2-for-3

PITCHING (ip-h-r-er-bb-so) -- Willmar: Heather Horning (W) 7-7-2-2-2-9 ... Sartell: Bridgette Sylte (L) 7-13-12-7-2-4