WILLMAR -- The Willmar Cardinals softball team will ride a three-game winning streak into next week's Section 2AAA playoffs.
Behind Hanna Pederson's three-hitter, the Cardinals nudged St. Cloud Tech 2-1 on Thursday at the high school field.
Pederson, who issued no walks and fanned 11, retired the last 12 Tigers in order.
Chelsey Wierschem's single to right field in the bottom of the fifth inning plated Alicia Alvarado from the third with the eventual game-winning run.
Willmar, the No. 6 seed, meets No. 9 New Prague at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Caswell Park in North Mankato.
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Willmar, which finishes the regular season 7-7 in the Central Lakes and 10-8 overall, scored a run on a passed ball in the second. The Tigers tied it 1-1 in the fourth on a double by Michelle Busch with no outs that drove in Kendra Braegelman.
But Pederson didn't allow another baserunner.
Allie Sweep's single leading off the second was Willmar's only other hit off losing pitcher Katie Ergen, who walked six.
Willmar 2, SC Tech 1
St. Cloud Tech 000 100 0 -- 1 3 0
Willmar 010 010 x -- 2 2 1
HITTING - St. Cloud Tech: Stacey Gaetz 1-for-3, Kendra Braegelman 1-for-3, run; Michelle Busch 1-for-3, 2b, rbi ... Willmar: Chelsey Wierschem 1-for-3, rbi; Allie Sweep 1-for-3
PITCHING (ip-h-r-er-bb-so) -- St. Cloud Tech: Katie Ergen (L) 6-2-2-1-6-7 ... Willmar: Hanna Pederson (W) 7-3-1-1-0-11
