Aitkin blanks Crosby-Ironton

AITKIN - Lena Montano went 2-for-2 with a double and knocked in two runs as the Aitkin Gobblers cruised past the Crosby-Ironton Rangers 11-0 in non-conference play Friday.

Sara Hoge picked up the win for the Gobblers, striking out seven batters in five innings. Miranda Paulson, Lauren Landrus and Kristy Hoge each had RBIs.

Kayla Minarich tripled for the Rangers who had three other hits.

Crosby-Ironton 0 4 1

Aitkin 11 10 2

WP: Sara Hoge . LP: Maggie Buchite. 2B: Ait-Lena Montano, Kelsey Klucas. 3B: Ait-Haley Carlson, CI-Kayla Minarich. Overall: C-I 0-5, A 5-0. Next: C-I at Wadena-Deer Creek 4:30 p.m. Tuesday (2), Aitkin at Pequot Lakes 4:30 p.m. Monday.

Verndale 9, Pine River-Backus 6

VERNDALE - Alicia Johnson pitched 5.2 solid innings to help the Verndale Pirates past the Pine River-Backus Tigers 9-6 in non-conference play Friday.

Johnson walked two and struck out three. Jenny Swenson was 1-2 with a three-run double and Jamie Kern had a two-run double for the Pirates.

PR-B's Erin Kish was 1-3 with an RBI and Michelle Dixon was 2-3.

Pine River-Backus 6 8 3

Verndale 9 7 5

WP: Alicia Johnson. Overall: PRB, V 5-2. Next: PRB, Pillager at Verndale 4 p.m. Tuesday (2).

Pillager 9, Swanville 5

SWANVILLE - Cheryl Wulff was 3-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs scored and hit her first home run to lead Pillager past Swanville 9-5 in non-conference action Friday.

The Huskies knocked out 13 hits. Nicole Mast went 3-5 with two runs scored. Kaylie Hanson was 4-5 with three RBIs and three runs.

Pillager 9 13 0

Swanville 5 7 4

WP: Ally Hunstad. LP: Fruzchte. 2B: P-Nicole Mast, Kaylie Hanson. 3B: P-Nicole Marcy. HR: P Cheryl Wulff, S-Mortenson. Overall: P 3-3. Next: Pillager hosts Upsala 4:30 p.m. Monday.

Pelican Rapids 14, Staples-Motley 11

STAPLES - Lonna Dumpprope went 3-for-4, scoring three runs and connecting for a double as Staples-Motley lost to Pelican Rapids 14-11 in non-conference action Friday.

Rachel Hoemberg went 3-5 with four runs scored and two RBIs. Darcey McGilivary added two hits, a run scored, and two RBIs for the Cardinals.

Pelican Rapids 14 13 4

Staples-Motley 11 11 4

WP: Suberg. LP: Abby Edin. 2B: P-Fielk, Farrel, S-Lonna Dumpprope. Overall: SM 4-4. Next: SM at Melrose 4:30 p.m. Monday.

New York Mills 9, Wadena-Deer Creek 1

NEW YORK MILLS - The Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines managed just two hits in a 9-1 non-conference loss to Wadena-Deer Creek. Stephanie Perkins and Stephanie Hahn had the Tigers' two hits.

Wadena-Deer Creek 1 2 3

New York Mills 9 6 1

WP: Schichy. LP: Stephanie Hahn. Overall: WDC 5-1. Next: WDC hosts Crosby-Ironton 4:00 p.m. Tuesday.