By TYLER HENRY
Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post
The Southeast of Saline softball team took two from Minneapolis on Tuesday, securing the inside track to a league title and strengthening their standing in a loaded regional.
Game 1: SE of Saline 10, Minneapolis 0
While the first game of the day had the potential to be a pitchers’ duel, the Lady Trojan bats jumped all over Minneapolis pitching, plating two runs in the first, six in the second, and another in the third and fourth to win game one in just five innings.
All nine spots in the Lady Trojan lineup produced at least one run, with six of the nine slots recording at least one RBI.
Riley Donnelly led the charge at the plate, bringing in three runs and scoring two more herself. Vada Durfee recorded a perfect 3-for-3 day at the plate with a trio of singles for the squad.
In the circle, Karlee Zurfluh loaded the bases in the top of the first, but pitched herself out of the jam before eliminating 12 of the next 14 batters en route to her tenth win of the season.
Zurfluh finished the day with a complete-game shutout, allowing just two hits and two walks while striking out six.
Game 2: SE of Saline 7, Minneapolis 3
The second game of this set began in a similar vein to the first, with the Lady Lions stranding two runners in scoring position in the top of the second thanks to a web-gem catch by Riley Donnely, and SES taking a 4-0 lead into the third.
This time around, Minneapolis got the bats activated, as Hayley Parks smacked a 2-RBI double, and Kaegan Hardesty brought in a third run to round out the third inning.
From there, Hannah Thiel tightened the screws in the circle, surrendering just one more run to the Lady Lions, while Southeast plated two more runs in the fourth, and another in the fifth to cruise to a 7-3 victory.
Reese Heinrich was a menace on the basepaths, reaching base three times, stealing six bases, and coming in to score three of Southeast’s seven runs.
Thiel picked up her third win of the season, allowing just three runs on seven hits, walking three, and striking out seven.
With this sweep, Southeast of Saline improves to 15-1 while Minneapolis slides to 11-5.
The Lady Trojans are back in action on Thursday as they return home to battle the Smoky Valley Lady Vikings.
Both games of this doubleheader are available on-demand below.