Hermantown eliminates Cardinals at state tournament

NORTH MANKATO -- The Staples-Motley Cardinals collected one more hit but fell short on the scoreboard by a 4-2 margin against the Hermantown Hawks in the consolation semifinals of the Class 2A state softball tournament Saturday at Caswell Park.

Melissa Roberts was 2-for-2 to lead the Cardinals, who finish 23-5.

Hermantown pitcher Nichole Tessier allowed five hits, three walks and two unearned runs while striking out seven in picking up the victory.

Anna Bjornlin was 3-for-4 with a double, triple and three runs scored for the Hawks.

Michelle Honek pitched a complete game for the Cardinals. She gave up four hits and three earned runs, walked one and struck out two.

STATE SOFTBALL

Hawks 4, Cards 2

-- The Staples-Motley Cardinals finish the season with a 23-5 record.

-- Melissa Roberts led the Cardinals at the plate by going 2-for-2.

-- Michelle Honek went the distance for S-M, giving up four hits and three earned runs.

In the Hermantown first, Bjornlin tripled to right-center. Following a strikeout, Val Hartel was hit by a pitch and stole second. One out later, Kristin Swartz singled up the middle to drive in two runs.

S-M scored in the bottom of the first. Liza Milless singled down the right-field line and eventually scored on an error.

Hermantown went ahead 3-1 in the top of the third. Bjornlin doubled down the right-field line and wound up scoring on a wild pitch.

In the bottom of the third, S-M's Amber Detloff singled down the right-field line and wound up scoring on a fielder's choice.

Hermantown added an insurance run in the seventh. With two out, Bjornlin reached on an error and scored on an error.

Hermantown 201 000 1 -- 4 4 3

Staples-Motley 101 000 0 -- 2 5 4

Herm-Nichole Tessier and Ashley Shaw. SM-Michelle Honek and Katie Crawford. W-Tessier. L-Honek.