MINNEOTA — The Minneota/Canby softball team broke out of their hitting slump in a big way on Thursday night, rallying in the sixth inning to secure a 3-0 victory over Dawson-Boyd. After being held scoreless for the first five innings, the Vikings exploded for three runs to secure the win.
Pitcher Madison Hennen was dominant on the mound, pitching a complete-game shutout and striking out 15 batters. The Vikings’ defense was also stellar, holding Dawson-Boyd to just five hits and a walk.
The game remained scoreless until the sixth inning when Faith Myhre kickstarted the rally with a leadoff triple. Dakota Pesch then delivered a clutch two-run single to put Minneota/Canby ahead. Pesche later scored on a pair of passed balls to extend the lead to 3-0.
Despite a strong performance from pitcher Alli Estling, who held the Vikings scoreless for the first five innings, Dawson-Boyd was unable to generate any offense. The Blackjacks had multiple opportunities with runners in scoring position but were unable to capitalize.
With the win, Minneota improves to 10-5 on the season while Dawson-Boyd falls to 3-7. The Vikings will look to carry their momentum into a doubleheader against Renville County West, while Dawson-Boyd will face off against Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley in their next game.
The Vikings’ late rally and strong defensive performance showcase their resilience and determination to bounce back from a recent hitting slump. With Hennen leading the way on the mound, Minneota/Canby looks poised for continued success as they head into the latter part of the season.
