Belle Plaine had just four baserunners across the first five innings of the game, but it more than doubled that number in the final two frames alone, putting 10 batters on base along with its six runs.

Megan Brudelie took the loss for New Ulm, striking out three while allowing three runs on three hits in 5 2/3 innings. At the plate, Gracie Baker was 2 for 2 with two runs scored, while Lily Poehler had a triple and an RBI. Lauren Schmiesing added a hit and an RBI.

Baker took a leadoff walk in the first and stole second and third, setting up Schmiesing for an RBI single for a 1-0 lead. Brudelie allowed one single and one walk across the first two innings, but closed out the second inning with a pair of strikeouts to prevent any runs from scoring. Baker singled to reach first again to lead off the third inning and stole her third base of the game to reach second safely. Poehler gave Baker the final two bases as she drove a ball deep into the outfield for an RBI triple and a 2-0 lead.

Brudelie and the New Ulm defense retired the Tigers in order in the fourth, with Brudelie notching her third strikeout of the day, but the Eagles were unable to increase their lead in the bottom of the inning, with Eliana Cariveau being left stranded at third after reaching on a well-hit ball to right field that the diving fielder was unable to bring in. Baker singled to reach first to lead off the inning for the third time in the game in the fifth, but this time her steal attempt at second was unsuccessful.

Staff photo by Ari Selvey New Ulm’s Eliana Cariveau plants for a throw over to first baseman Zoe Uhde (4) during a Big South Conference softball game against Belle Plaine Tuesday at New Ulm High School.

The Tigers loaded up the bases with no outs in the top of the sixth, and an Eagles pitching change to Miley Flor didn’t stop Belle Plaine’s momentum as it scored five runs on four hits and two walks. New Ulm switched back to Brudelie after Belle Plaine loaded the bases again with one out in the seventh, and Brudelie limited the damage to one run as she coaxed a popup and a ground out. Flor hit a two-out double in the bottom of the seventh, but the Eagles were unable to continue the hits as Belle Plaine closed out the game.

New Ulm (1-3, 1-2) plays at Worthington on Thursday.