GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The Mankato Habaneros saw an early lead slip away Tuesday night, falling 8-7 to the Grand Forks Spitfires after a five-run sixth inning.

Mankato scored twice in the first and added three more in the second to build a 6-2 lead. Sailor Hall (Pittsburgh State University) led the offense, going 2-for-4 with a three-run homer, while Ava Parent (University of Wisconsin) finished 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI. Kylinn Stangl (University of Minnesota) added two hits and two RBIs, and Marleigh Louvar (University of St. Thomas) chipped in two hits and an RBI.

The Habaneros extended their lead to 7-3 in the sixth before Grand Forks answered with five runs.

Hall took the loss after allowing eight runs on 12 hits over six innings. Mankato totaled 11 hits but couldn’t rally in the seventh.

The Habaneros cap the series against the Spitfires. Mankato will face the Minot Honeybees on Thursday. The first pitch is at 6:35 pm in Minot. 

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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.