MANKATO, MINN. – The Mankato Habaneros split a doubleheader against the La Crosse Steam on Saturday at ISG Field, cruising to a 16-3 victory in Game 1 before falling 10-4 in Game 2.
The Steam took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning of Game 1.
Ava Parent (University of Wisconsin) tripled to spark the offense before Olivia Pichardo (University of California) launched a two-run home run to tie the game at 2-2. Mankato continued the rally by scoring four more runs in the inning to take a 6-2 lead.
Pichardo added her second home run of the game in the second inning, and the Habaneros tacked on two more runs to extend the lead to 9-2.
La Crosse scored once in the third, but Mankato responded with seven runs in the bottom of the inning to build a 16-3 advantage. The game ended after five innings due to the Northwoods League Softball 10-run rule.
The Steam took control early in Game 2 and never relinquished the lead.
La Crosse jumped out to a 3-0 advantage in the first inning before adding five runs in the third to stretch its lead to 9-0. The Steam held the Habaneros scoreless until the fifth inning.
Mankato broke through in the fifth after an RBI single by Sailor Hall (Pittsburg State University) highlighted a four-run inning. However, Avary Mackarewicz answered with a home run for La Crosse to extend the lead to 10-4, which stood as the final score.
The Habaneros return to action Sunday when they travel to La Crosse for the final game of the series. First pitch is scheduled for 5:05 p.m.
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Leveraging the 32-year success of the Northwoods League, the first for-profit Summer Collegiate Baseball League, Northwoods League Softball (NWLS) is the first for-profit Women’s Summer Collegiate Softball League that began play in the Upper Midwest in the summer of 2024. The purpose of the League will be to develop players for their college, Olympic and future professional play. Teams will be promoted similar to minor league baseball teams, playing games in front of fans in a fun, friendly, family-oriented environment.
