Kenyon-Wanamingo came into the game tonight with a 1-1 record while Faribault Bethlehem Academy had not played yet, but the Cardinals won 12-6 at Alexander Park in Faribault.

After holding the Knights scoreless in the top half of the first inning the Cardinals scored a pair of runs on a one-hop off the left field fence double from the bat of junior shortstop Kate Trump.

Second baseman, freshman Anna Cohen opened the inning with a walk and advanced to second on a single from junior catcher Reagan Kangas.

Following a pop out Trump saw Cohen and Kangas advance on a double steal before clubbing a 2-1 pitch from K-W sophomore pitcher Josie Flom to left field.  Trump would end the inning stranded at third base,

Freshman BA pitcher Morgan Wilson struck out six of the first 12 batters faced allowing two hits over the first three innings.

Meanwhile Bethlehem Academy scored two runs in the third inning when Cohen started the inning with a bunt resulting in an error.  Kangas collected her second single following by a hit from third baseman freshman Anna Tobin that scored a run.

Trump hit a ball high into the sky in right center that was dropped resulting in the other run.

Flom worked some magic to get out of the inning with just the two runs scored because the bases were full with no outs at one point.

Through three innings the score was BA 4 and K-W 0.  The Knights had 2 hits, Cardinals 4 hits.

Wilson recorded her 7th strikeout in the fourth inning before the Cardinals erupted for 6 runs in the bottom of the 4th inning.

Junior outfielder Lindsay Hanson opened the inning with a double.  Cohen delivered a perfect bunt.  Kangas was hit by a pitch loading the bases.  Anna Tobin hit a grounder on a 0-1 count back to the pitcher who threw home but not in time to get the runner.  During the Tobin at bat Kangas scored on a wild pitch.

Trump popped out with the count full.  Wilson then hammered a RBI single to right field followed by a Sarah Tobin double.

The score was 10-0 Bethlehem Academy after 4 innings meaning if Kenyon-Wanamingo didn't score in the bottom of the 5th inning then the game would be over by the 10 runs after five innings mercy rule.

The Knights would not say die, sophomore Rachel Ryan came off the bench to smack a one out single in the 5th inning.  Freshman Vanessa Bartel then clubbed a grounder back to pitcher Wilson who spun and threw the ball to second base.  At least that's what it looked like but the second baseman was not at the bag meaning there were runners at first and second with one out.

Junior Lydia Schaefer followed with a RBI single.  After another out was recorded junior Sidney Majerus had a RBI single and a run was allowed to score following an error making the score 10-3 and extending the game.

In the bottom of the 5th inning Cohen got on base for a 4th time and scored her 4th run of the game.  She hit a single, her second hit.

Cohen would advance to second base on a wild pitch.  The next two batters were retired before Trump clubbed her second double of the game driving Cohen in.

Wilson followed that by jumping on the first pitch of her at bat for a triple scoring Trump and the Cardinals were one run away from ending the game in the bottom of the 5th inning.

Flom coaxed a pop out to first base to end the inning and give the Knights at least one more at bat.

Neither team scored in the 6th inning meaning the game would go to the scheduled final 7th inning.

In the top of the 7th the Knights had a couple of hits and a couple Cardinals errors would result in a 3 run inning.

The big blow was off the bat of junior catcher Naveaeh Greseth.  A ringing double scoring two of the runs.

The final score was 12-6 Bethlehem Academy.  The Cardinals had 10 hits, 3 errors, left 6 runners on base, 5 in scoring position. Kenyon-Wanamingo finished with 8 hits, 3 errors, 6 runners left, 4 in scoring position.

Wilson finished the game striking out 10 batters with 1 walk and 1 hit batter.

Flom collected 4 strikeouts, 2 walks and hit a batter.

Our Cashwise Foods and Pharmacy of Owatonna Delivery of the Game was an outstanding diving catch by K-W shortstop sophomore Ivette Mendoza in the bottom of the 6th inning.

From her shortstop position she sprinted to her right and made a diving catch in foul territory that was just incredible.  It should be on the ESPN Highlights. WOW!

The Malecha's Auto Body Faribault Crunch Time Faribault Players of the game were Kangas, Trump and Wilson.

Offensively they combined for 6 hits, 5 runs, 6 RBI.  Cohen should have also been named in hindsight with her lead batter status getting on base all four times at the plate and scoring each time.

The Cardinals are scheduled to travel to Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton for a 4:30 p.m. Gopher Conference game.

Kenyon-Wanamingo will host Blooming Prairie Thursday at 4:30 p.m. in Wanamingo in their next conference contest.

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