File photo by Steve Muscatello New Ulm Cathedral’s Jenna Helget connects with a pitch during a recent game in New Ulm.

By Jeff Meder

Journal Sports Writer

NORTH MANKATO — Josie Pautzke led New Ulm Cathedral past Cleveland 8-1 on Saturday in Section 2A tournament playoff action.

Pautzke went 3 for 3 batting with two singles, a home run and three RBIs. She was also the winning pitcher, ­going seven innings giving up one run, four hits, walking one and striking out six batters.

“We had some truly great hitting. We were patient at the plate and we got some timely hits when we needed them,” Cathedral head coach Jamie Portner said.

Cleveland’s Julia McCabe got a single to left field in the top of the first inning. She stole second, moved to third on an out and scored on Lily Hollerich’s sacrifice bunt for a 1-0 Clipper lead.

Cathedral’s Sarah Mohr cracked a single to right field in the bottom of the first inning. She advanced to second base on Pautzke’s single and scored on Rose Hazuka’s double down the third base line to tie the game. The Greyhounds regained the lead at 2-1 on an error. Cathedral’s next run came on an out, making it 3-1. Aleah Guggisberg’s single scored the Greyhound’s last run of the inning for a 4-1 advantage after one inning.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Jenna Helget laced a single to left field. Pautzke’s hit to left field scored Helget for a 5-1 Greyhound advantage.

Cathedral’s Mohr reached on an infield single in the sixth inning . She stole second base, moved to third on a Cleveland miscue and she scored on an error for a 6-1 Cathedral lead.

Helget reached on an error. Pautzke smashed a home run over the center field fence scoring Helget and Pautzke for the 8-1 victory.

Helget went 1 for 1 with an RBI, Lauryn Franta and Guggisberg each added one RBI apiece.