Early Lead Not Enough for Owatonna Baseball; Lacrosse Teams Sweep

Owatonna got off to a great start against No. 1 rated Mankato West Monday. The Huskies, who needed a win to earn a share of the Big Nine title, scored twice in the top of the first inning. Payton Beyer tripled. Grant Achterkirch doubled off the top of the wall. Brayden Truelson plated him with a single.

The Scarlets flexed their own bat-swinging muscles by pounding out 14 hits in a 14-4, five inning win to secure the outright conference title, their first since 2003. West won the second game 8-2 as a nonconference contest.

The Huskies wrap up the season 12-8 overall and 9-2 in the Big Nine. Playoffs begin Saturday, May 29 at 1 pm. The QRF rankings at www.minnesota-scores.net leans toward Owatonna hosting New Prague in the 4/5 matchup. Seedings will officially be announced Wednesday, May 26.

OHS girls lacrosse won their 'senior night' game 11-9 over New Prague. Anni Moran scored five goals. Audrey Simon added four. Seniors on the roster include Grace Smith, Elizabeth Harder, Madi Bruessel, Tea Boerner, Klara Blacker, Jenna Spatenka, Allie Keller, Kialee Kleeberger, Nora Thompson, Julia Dietz, Annika Brown and Leone Jacobson.

The Huskies play section opponent Farmington Tuesday, May 25 at 7 pm with radio play-by-play on Kat Kountry 105. QRF ratings show Owatonna (11-1) second in the section behind Lakeville South (9-1). Farmington is 3-8

The Owatonna boys won 21-11 at New Prague Monday to close their regular season at 11-2. Zack Kirsch tied a school record with eight goals. He tied Michael Schmitz mark set in 2014. Kirsch has 51 goals on the season.

Huskies softball hosting Albert Lea was rained out Monday.