Staff photo by Steve Muscatello Minnesota Valley Lutheran’s Lexi Fischer makes a catch in center field during the Chargers’ game against Wabasso Tuesday at MVL.

NEW ULM — Minnesota Valley Lutheran crushed Madelia 13-3 in five innings in a nonconference softball game on Tuesday.

Madelia head coach Terri Baumgartner noted that one of the Backhawks’ downfalls all season has been the team having a bad inning.

That observation became reality in Madelia’s loss to the Chargers. MVL scored six runs in the first inning, three in the second and four in the fourth.

“We had a bad first inning,” coach Baumgartner said. “We had too many errors and mental errors.”

Kylie Ulrich hit a bloop single to centerfield, advanced to second base, moved to third base on a catcher miscue and scored on a passed ball on the next play for a 1-0 MVL lead.

Beth Albrecht reached base and Lauren Paulsen walked. Lexi Fischer smashed a triple to centerfield, scoring Albrecht and Paulsen. Fischer later scored on a passed ball.

Haley Ditch walked and later scored on a single by Grace Bauer for a 6-0 Charger advantage after one inning.

In the second inning, Paulsen reached on an error. Fischer then smashed a double. Ditch’s single scored Paulsen and Fischer, making it 9-0 MVL.

Madelia’s Brianna Pietsch singled, stole second, moved to third on a catcher overthrow and scored on Briana Ardolf’s single for the first Madelia run in the third inning. Ardolf later scored on a sac-fly.

MVL’s Grace Bauer belted a triple to the rightfield fence in the bottom of the third. She later scored on a Madelia error.

Ulrich reached on an error, stole second and moved to third on an error. Paulsen reached base and stole second. Fischer crached a double that scored Ulrich and Paulsen. Fischer scored MVL’s final run on a Madelia error still in the third inning.

Madelia’s Emily Stevenson laced a single down the third base line. She stole second and later scored on Lizzie Cooling’s single for the Blackhawks’ final run.

“We were much more aggressive defensively and offensively,” MVL head coach Barb Leopold said. “We had some nice hits, and a couple of good innings.”

Ardolff was 2 for 3 for Madelia, while Cooling added two RBIs.

MVL was led by Fischer, who was 3 for 3 with four RBIs. Bauer and Richtsmeister each added two hits for MVL.

Fischer also pitched the complete game for MVL, allowing seven hits, three runs and three walks with three strikeouts.

MVL also played a conference game with Wabasso following the contest with Madelia. (See roundup for results/stats).

MVL will play at New Ulm Cathedral (12-2, 8-1) on Thursday. Madelia (1-10, 0-6) will play at Granad-Huntley-East Chain/Truman/Martin Luther on Wednesday.