NEW ULM - The New Ulm 18U softball team picked up three wins on Saturday in the Windmill Classic and will begin tournament play at 11 a.m. today at Harman Park.
New Ulm won the first game over Mankato 7-0, then defeated Soderville 9-0 in the second game. In the third game, New Ulm matched up with the Southern Minnesota Diamonds and got a one-hitter from starting pitcher Maddy Helget as New Ulm won 2-0.
Helget flirted with a no-hitter until the bottom of the sixth when Morgan Schwartz singled past New Ulm shortstop Brittany Hoffmann. Helget said she was aware of the no-hitter up until that point.
"I knew it, but the win was more important than the no-hitter, obviously, because they can still score," Helget said.
In that third game with the Southern Minnesota Diamonds, Ellie Schneider scored New Ulm's first run when she singled and took second on an error. She later stole third and scored on a wild throw at third by the catcher.
Katie Forst scored New Ulm's second run, coming across on Hallie Kuelbs' single for the 2-0 advantage.
Scheider finished the game with two hits for New Ulm and Hoffmann and Kuelbs also picked up two hits apiece.
Sydney Schuck took the loss for the Diamonds. She pitched four innings and Darcy Bottem came in for the last three innings.
In New Ulm's first game, Hallie Kuelbs earned the win. Kali Denn had a double and a triple and scored two runs. Hoffmann had a home run and Charlotte Pfingsten scored two runs.
In New Ulm's second game, Helget picked up the win. Paige Pautzke, Schneider and Forst each scored two runs. Kristi Larson also had a triple.
The Diamonds went 1-2 on the day. They won the first game 7-4 over Cleveland before losing the second game 4-1 to Minnesota Edge.
In the first game, Schuck picked up the win, allowing one run and striking out one in three innings. Karlie Heiderscheidt was 2-for-2 with a run and two RBI.
Bottem took the loss in the second game. Schwartz scored the only run for the Diamonds and Acacia Foss had a double and an RBI.
New Ulm (9-0) and the Diamonds (6-3) both resume action today.