MANKATO, MINN. – The Habaneros played their last home game tonight in a doubleheader against the La Crosse Steam.

After a scoreless first inning, the Habaneros took off in the second.

An RBI single from Joscelyn Bennett (Southwest Baptist University) allowed them to go up 2-0 over the Steam.

La Crosse answered in the fourth, scoring two runs to tie it, 2-2.

The Steam scored off an error in the sixth to add another run. Another run in the same inning would give them a 5-2 lead.

Each team added a run in the seventh, with La Crosse winning the first game, 6-3.

Mankato started strong in game two, scoring first off a sacrifice fly by Katy Olive (Miami University, Ohio).

They extended their lead in the second, scoring two runs off an error by La Crosse. Ava Parent (University of Wisconsin) hit an inside-the-park home run on that play.

A scoreless third inning was followed by a home run scored by the Steam to cut the lead to 3-1.

Mankato added to their lead after a stolen base home by Valerie VanZant (University of Minnesota-Crookston). The score was then 4-1.

La Crosse found a late rally to tie it up in the fifth, 4-4.

Mankato answered, scoring three more runs in the sixth to take back the lead 7-4.

Despite the Steam scoring one run in the seventh, the Habaneros won game two with a final score of 7-5.

This series concludes the softball season for Mankato, as the team did not qualify for post-season play.

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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.