By Jeff Meder

Journal Sports Writer

NEW ULM — Madelia cruised past Minnesota Valley Lutheran 14-2 in five innings on Tuesday in a nonconference softball game at MVL High School.

The Blackhawks sent 13 batters to the plate in the top of the first inning. When the dust cleared, Madelia led 9-0. Four hits (two doubles and two singles), three walks and two hit batters contributed to the Blackhawks’ comfortable early lead.

MVL’s Kenna Dressel leadoff infield single in the bottom of the first inning put her on first base. She moved to second on a sacrifice and then stole third. She scored on Karlee Prahl’s single that made it 9-1.

Madelia answered on Alicia Lugo’s single in the top of the second inning. A wild pitch moved her to second base and Grace Tatro’s center-field double brought Lugo home.

Taylor Gunderson of MVL singled in the bottom of the second and scored on Briley Henderson’s hit, which made it 10-2.

Both teams showed good defense. MVL got out of a jam in the third on a 6-4-3 double play. That erased Lauryn Grev who reached on a walk. Madelia’s defense got a couple of MVL runners out during run-downs between bases.

The Blackhawks added two runs in the top of the fourth inning. Grace Tatro singled. A courtesy runner scored on a single by Grev. Lugo reached on a fielder’s choice and she later scored on a wild pitch, which gave them the win.

Grace Tatro was 3 for 3 with two RBIs to lead Madelia, while Corban Tatro was 3 for 4 with five RBIs. Grev was 2 for 2 with an RBI, while Madelyn Lehman was 2 for 3 with an RBI and Makayla Sorenson was 2 for 3 with two RBIs.

Corban Tatro got the win in the circle in five innings, allowing six hits and no walks for one earned run while striking out seven.

Gunderson led MVL at the plate, going 2 for 2 with a run scored. Katlyn Stadick took the loss for MVL in all five innings, striking out one.

Madelia (4-3, 1-3) will host Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial on Thursday. MVL (2-5, 1-4) will host Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s (2-4) on Thursday.