WILLMAR - Willmar scored the go-ahead run on an infield ground ball in the bottom of the fifth, and Leah Ruter pitched seven strong innings in Willmar’s 5-4 win over Alexandria in a Central Lakes Conference game on Friday.
Trailing 4-3, Megan Rudnick hit a leadoff single and stole second. She advanced to third on a bunt, and after a Kaitlyn Kienholz walk, Jordan Martins reached on an error and scored Rudnick to tie it up.
One batter later, Jamie Reyes grounded out to score Kienholz with the eventual game-winning run.
“It was an intense game,” Willmar head coach Shannon Cayler said. “Kind of back-and-forth. It was great to see the intensity out of those kids.”
Willmar benefitted from some strong defense as well.
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In the top of the sixth, Alexandria had runners on second and third with two outs, and shortstop Martins ended the inning with a diving catch behind the third base line into the fence.
“I don’t think she’s ever run that fast,” Cayler said.
Centerfielder Reyes made a great catch an inning later.
“(Reyes) swiped it out of the air right before it hit the ground,” Cayler said.
Willmar scored in the first on a Rudnick RBI single and twice in the second on an Amelia Amon double and a McKenzie Hastad single.
Ruter struck out five and allowed two earned runs in her complete-game performance.
Willmar has won both of its games against Alexandria this season, and improved to 4-5 in the CLC and 5-6 overall.
They play Saturday at home against New Prague.
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Willmar 5, Alexandria 4
Alexandria 021 100 0 - 4 5 1
Willmar (4-5, 5-6) 120 020 x - 5 7 4
HITTING – Alexandria: Anna Lee 1-3, 2b, Courtney Bitzan 1-3, rbi … Willmar: Leah Ruter 1-3, r, Megan Rudnick 3-4, r, rbi, Sarah Stadem 1-3, Amelia Amon 1-2, r, rbi, McKenzie Hastad 1-2, rbi
PITCHING (ip-h-r-er-bb-so) - Alexandria: Taylor Ellingson (L) 6-7-5-4-5-6 … Willmar: Leah Ruter (W) 7-5-4-2-4-5
