Post-Bulletin, Austin MN 

WORTHINGTON -- The Riverland softball team lost a pair of one-run games to Minnesota West on Friday.

Minnesota West scored the winning run in the bottom of the sixth to take it 8-7 in the opener of the Minnesota College Athletic Conference, South Division doubleheader.

The second game was also close with a 7-6 loss for the Lady Blue Devils of Riverland in eight innings.

Six runs by the West Bluejays in the bottom of the third inning erased an early lead by the Lady Devils in the first game. But they rallied for five runs in the top of the sixth to tie the game.

"We stormed back with three doubles to score the five runs in the sixth," Riverland coach Dave Lillemon said. "Justine Sanvick had a two-run double and then Carmen Smith hit a RBI double. Liz Triplett followed with a two-run double and tied the game.

"In the end, our defense let us down. All of our three errors came in that big third inning for them."

The second game again required a late rally for the Lady Devils. The visitors trailed 6-4 heading into the top of the seventh.

Riverland extended the game with a pair of runs in the top of the seventh. The Lady Devils hit five singles to tie the game. Laura Meyer had a single in the rally and has now hit safely in all 21 games for the Lady Devils on the season.

Smith capped off the rally with the final RBI single, but the Lady Devils missed their chance to take the lead. They left the bases loaded and the missed opportunity would haunt them in the bottom of the eighth when Minnesota West (5-14, 4-8 MCAC South) scored the winning run.

Anna Breault started and pitched into the eighth inning for Riverland. The winning rally for West started when Breault issued a one-out walk. After an out, there was an error to put runners at first and third. A stolen base by the Lady Jays then put runners at second and third base.

At this point, Lillemon opted for relief help and brought Newman into the game. The next batter hit a tapper back to the mound, but the Riverland pitcher fielded the ball and chose to go home instead of throwing to first for the third out. On the tag play at the plate, the runner was ruled safe and the home team completed the sweep.

"Both games had great rallies to tie it, but they're a good hitting team and we didn't catch the ball defensively," the coach concluded. "These were a couple of tough losses, but we have to regroup and hold on to our third-place position in the division standings."

Riverland (12-9, 6-6 MCAC South) plays host to St. Cloud Technical College on Tuesday in Austin.

MN. WEST 8, RIVERLAND 7

First game

Riverland 110 005 0 -- 7 13 3

Minn. West 106 001 x -- 8 11 1

Riverland: Laura Meyer 2-4, 2 runs, RBI; Danielle Lynch 3-4, 3B, run; Carmen Smith 2-4, run, 2 RBIs; Liz Triplett 3-4, 2B, RBI; Justine Sanvick 1-2, 2 walks, run. LP: Kaylee Newman 6 IP, 8 R, 4 ER, 11 H, 3 BB, 2 K.

MN. WEST 7, RIVERLAND 6, 8 INN.

Second game

Riverland 120 100 20 -- 6 14 4

Minn. West 012 030 01 -- 7 9 1

Riverland: Meyer 1-3; Smith 1-2, 3 RBIs; Triplett 2-4; Chelsey Swanson 2-4; Mandy May 3-3, run; Christy Van Dyke 2-4, 2 runs, RBI. LP: Anna Breault 7 2/3 IP, 7 R, 4 ER, 9 H, 3 BB, 2 K.