Staff photo by Ari Selvey New Ulm’s Bridgette Roiger makes a throw to first during the Section 2AAA Softball Championship game against Mankato East Thursday at Caswell Park in North Mankato.

NORTH MANKATO — Second-seeded New Ulm took two five-inning losses to top-seeded Mankato East in the Section 2AAA Softball Championship, ending its season short of the state tournament.

East pitcher and University of Minnesota commit Kylinn Stangl held New Ulm to just five hits and one run through the two games, holding true to her reputation as the Cougars will try to win their third consecutive state title. East also found plenty of success offensively, collecting 23 runs on 25 hits on the day.

East won 10-0 in Game 1. Ramsey Hopp took the loss, allowing nine runs on 12 hits in four innings and striking out two. At the plate, Hopp, Lauren Schmiesing and Mya Hornick each collected a hit.

East scored one run in the first inning before pouring on six runs on six hits in the third inning. The Cougars added two runs in the fourth and one more in the fifth to seal the five-inning win.

Hopp took the loss again in Game 2, striking out four and allowing 13 runs on 12 hits. At the plate for the Eagles, Hornick had a double, while Maddie Backer had a hit and Megan Brudelie had an RBI. Schmiesing scored a run.

After a scoreless first inning, East scored twice on two hits in the second inning, then added four runs on three hits in the third. East increased the lead to 9-0 in the fourth inning after collecting three more runs on three hits, a walk and an error.

New Ulm scored its lone run of the night in the fourth inning as Schmiesing and Berkley Wilfahrt drew walks, then Hornick reached first on a fielder’s choice. Brudelie was hit by a pitch to bring home Schmiesing, but Stangl got a strikeout to leave the bases loaded. The Cougars scored four runs on four hits in the fifth inning to close out the game and clinch a state tournament appearance.

New Ulm finishes its season with a 19-4 record.