Early defensive errors proved to be costly for the Greyhounds, as of the 10 Cleveland runs scored, only two were earned. However, Cathedral scored six runs across the final four innings of the game, giving the Greyhounds something to build on for what could be a matchup in the Section 2A Softball Tournament that begins on Tuesday.

Abbey Hillesheim took the loss for Cathedral, allowing six runs, one earned, on four hits in 2/3 of an inning. Jayde Altermatt pitched 6 1/3 innings in relief, striking out seven and allowing four runs, one earned, on five hits. At the plate for the Greyhounds, Leah Wilson was 3 for 4 with a home run, two RBIs and a run scored, while Ava Schmid was 2 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored. Hillesheim had a home run, while Altermatt had two hits.

An error by the Greyhounds set the table for a six-run first inning for the Clippers as Cleveland put together three hits and scored three runs with two outs. Another defensive error in the second helped Cleveland add to that lead as the Clippers scored three runs on two hits for a 9-0 advantage. Cleveland’s hot start extended to the defensive side, with pitcher Delaney Thompson striking out six batters across the second and third innings to keep Cathedral off the scoreboard. However, the Greyhounds found some stability defensively, with Altermatt putting up three strikeouts of her own across the third and fourth innings. Cathedral found some offense in the bottom of the fourth inning, starting with a single by Altermatt. A double from Schmid scored the Greyhounds’ first run of the game, and an RBI-single from Margo Finstad made it a 9-2 game. Cathedral added one more run in the fifth inning, with a double from Wilson bringing home Morgan Beranek, but Cleveland put up a run of its own in the top of the sixth to put the score at 10-3.

Hillesheim hit a solo home run to lead off the bottom of the sixth, then Wilson did the same to lead off the seventh inning to cut the lead to 10-5. The Greyhounds continued the offensive push in the seventh, loading the bases with walks from Altermatt and Finstad and a single from Schmid, and Cathedral scored another run on a wild pitch. However, one final strikeout from Thompson ended the comeback bid short.

Staff photo by Ari Selvey New Ulm Cathedral's Abbey Hillesheim smiles as she runs home after hitting a home run during the Tomahawk-Valley Conference softball championship game against Cleveland Thursday at Caswell Park.

Cathedral (18-4) hosts Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton on Friday in its final game of the regular season.

Staff photo by Ari Selvey New Ulm Cathedral's Leah Wilson (11) celebrates with her teammates after hitting a home run during the Tomahawk-Valley Conference softball championship game against Cleveland Thursday at Caswell Park.