“It’s definitely very exciting,” Nicollet’s Jazmyn Goettlicher said. “A lot of us didn’t expect it going into it, and I think a lot of fans didn’t expect it, but there’s not really any pressure on us anymore. That’s very freeing to us. We’re just here to have fun, and whatever happens happens.”

While the Raiders later fell 7-1 to top-seeded Martin County West in the section semifinals, Nicollet stays in the tournament and will face the winner of a game between Cathedral and USC on Tuesday night in the elimination bracket finals back at Caswell Park.

“[Nicollet head coach] Marc [Bode] said it,” Nicollet’s Lydia Martens said. “He said ‘House money.’ They’re bet to win, but we’re going to come out on top. There’s nothing to lose here. I think it just lifted our spirits and showed us what we can do.”

Cathedral went on to defeat fifth-seeded Sleepy Eye 7-1 and will play USC at 5 p.m. Tuesday.

Staff photo By Ari Selvey Nicollet's Jazmyn Goettlicher (7) celebrates with her team after hitting a home run during a Section 2A Softball Tournament game against New Ulm Cathedral Saturday at Caswell Park.

Nicollet’s four runs in the first game came one two home runs, the first being the first of Marten’s career.

“Honestly, I couldn’t stop smiling,” Martens said. “I was shaking for I think 10 minutes when I went back onto the field to go play defense. I was glad it happened in the playoffs when it mattered.”

The second came from Goettlicher in the third inning to put Nicollet up 4-0.

“It’s definitely very exciting,” Goettlicher said. “But at the end of the day, we just go out there looking for a base hit, and whatever happens happens.”

Defense has played a huge role for the Raiders all postseason, and this game was no different, with several players stepping up in big moments to get the out.

“Our coach really enforces it during practice,” Goettlicher said. “Just getting the plays no matter what, and I think our defense has gone a long way over the season. It’s carried us to where we are. Our defense leads into our batting, so that’s why we’re excelling there too.”

Brielle Osborne earned the win for Nicollet, striking out one and allowing three runs on seven hits and seven walks. At the plate, Goettlicher and Martens each had their two-run home runs, while Zoie Rengstorf and Aubrey Hulke had a hit and a run scored.

Jayde Altermatt took the loss for Cathedral, striking out seven and allowing four runs on six hits and four walks. At the plate, Thea Paszkiewicz was 2 for 4 with an RBI and Ava Schmid had two hits. Abbey Hillesheim had a hit and two RBIs.

Marten’s homer came in the second inning after a hit by Hulke, just flying over the right field fence. Cathedral loaded the bases in the bottom of the inning, but the Nicollet defense stood strong as Osborne took a grounder home for the final out of the inning. Rengstorf singled to lead off the third inning, and Goettlicher sent her home run to left field for a 4-0 Nicollet lead.

The Greyhounds loaded the bases again in the bottom of the third, and this time they came through, with Hillesheim doubling to score Altermatt and Schmid. However, Nicollet caught a runner advancing to third for the third out of the innings, getting out without further damage. Paszkiewicz doubled in the fourth inning to score Morgan Beranek, making it just a one-score game. However, Osborne and the Nicollet defense stood firm, holding off the Cathedral offense for the remaining three innings to secure the victory.

“I think we knew we could pull it out in the end,” Martens said. “No matter how much Brielle pitches her butt off, we’re right behind her. I just want her to know that, so I keep saying it on the field. I think I repeat it 10 times a game, that we’re right behind her.”

While MCW did come away with the win in the semifinals game, the 7-1 loss was a big improvement over the three regular season games Nicollet had against the Mavericks, where the Raiders lost in five innings in each instance.

“One through nine, they can hit, and they are stacked,” Bode said. “They don’t miss a beat. Darrell [Ziegler] is in my opinion one of the best coaches around. I have a high level of respect for him and the program. They can just hit it, and the defense doesn’t make mistakes. They’ve been playing together for a long time.”

Osborne took the loss for Nicollet against the Mavericks, allowing six earned runs on nine hits and three walks. At the plate, Chloe Kachelmeier was 2 for 3 with an RBI, while Hulke was 2 for 3.

MCW scored twice in the bottom of the first on two hits, then added another run in the second for a 3-1 lead. Nicollet got its lone run of the game as Kachelmeier doubled to bring home Kamryn Truebenbach in the third, but a solo homer by Emily Schettler in the fourth made it a three-run game once again. MCW scored one more run in the fifth and two in the sixth to wrap up the 7-1 game.