Faribault Softball Remains Unbeaten with Victory over Owatonna

The Falcons topped the Huskies 4-1 Thursday at Alexander Park, taking advantage of several Owatonna errors. All four Faribault runs were unearned.

With one out in the second inning, Faribault catcher Abby VanRyn singled. On a wild pitch she advanced to second but didn't stop there. While also stealing third on the play, the throw from OHS catcher Kenzie Karsten went by the third baseman and VanRyn scored.

Faribault put runners on base in every inning but the third, stranding eight in the game. In the fourth, Bre Bresnahan reached on an error. The next two batters got out. VanRyn delivered an RBI single. Camryn Salmonson singled and Lauren O'Neil drove them both in for a 4-0 lead. OHS pitcher Alexa Sommers went the distance, giving up five hits and striking out three.

Owatonna didn't break through until the sixth inning. After going down 1-2-3 in the first three innings, the Huskies got base runners in each subsequent inning against Faribault's McKayla Armbruster, who threw a perfect game last week. She allowed five hits and one walk. Faribault committed one error. In the sixth, Rilee Schmidt tripled to lead off the inning. The next two batters were retired. Karsten singled to put the Huskies on the board.

The Huskies put runners on the corners in the seventh before the game ended on a stellar defensive play. Third baseman Ellie Knutson dove after Schmidt's foul pop and caught it to preserve the 4-1 lead and victory.

Faribault (5-0) plays a doubleheader at Mankato East on Tuesday. Owatonna (2-3) hosts Rochester JM in a makeup game Friday night at 7PM at Morehouse Park. Thursday's game counted in the Big Nine standings. The teams also play in Owatonna on May 16.