“I think just staying up and positive,” Cathedral’s Brynn Wilfahrt said. “We know we couldn’t hit because we were really early on our timing. So just staying positive and being confident. Knowing a strike and a ball, because she was throwing lots of crazy pitches.”

The game was played in Sleepy Eye due to the field conditions at Harman Park.

Abbey Hillesheim earned the win, striking out four and allowing four hits in the shutout win. At the plate, Jaylin Hartness was 3 for 4 with a home run and two doubles, while Wilfahrt was 2 for 3 with two RBIs and a run scored. Ava Brennan had a double and two RBIs, while Maddy Hazuka had a hit and two RBIs.

After a scoreless first inning, Cathedral got on the board thanks to a walk drawn by Abbey Hillesheim, a single from Brynn Wilfahrt and another walk from Jayde Altermatt to lead the bases. Brennan capitalized with a double to score both Abbey Hillesheim and Wilfahrt, then Ashlynn Hillesheim got Altermatt home with a sacrifice fly.

Staff photo by Ari Selvey New Ulm Cathedral’s Madelyn Haala (4) scores and celebrates with teammate Margo Finstad (14) during a Section 2A Softball Tournament game against Heron Lake-Okabena/Fulda Wednesday at Prairie View Park in Sleepy Eye.

Cathedral’s bats once again went gold in the middle innings of the game, aside from a double from Hartness. Hartness remained hot to start the fifth inning, leading off with a home run.

The solo homer kick-started a three-run inning for Cathedral, as a double from Wilfahrt brought home Margo Finstad and Madelyn Haala for runs.

Some of Cathedral’s bench players got up to hit in the sixth inning, with seven consecutive batters reaching base as the Greyhounds closed out the game. Thea Paszkiewicz drew a walk, then Hartness hit a double. A single from Hazuka scored both of them for a 8-0 lead. Haala followed that with a single of her own, then a ball put into play by Brenna Goblirsch scored Hazuka. Finally, a single from Ava Krueger scored Haala to end the game.

Wilfhart said the team has to do a better job of adjusting early if it wants to continue through the section tournament.

“I think we’ve got to start right away,” she said. “I think just staying up and being strong and confident and positive, knowing what you’re doing and having a purpose with what you’re doing.”

Staff photo by Ari Selvey New Ulm Cathedral’s Ashlynn Hillesheim throws the ball over to first after tagging out a runner from her shortstop position during a Section 2A Softball Tournament game against Heron Lake-Okabena/Fulda Wednesday at Prairie View Park in Sleepy Eye.

Cathedral (19-2) hosts seventh-seeded Mountain Lake Area/Comfrey on Thursday.