STRUM — The Melrose-Mindoro High School softball team scored five runs in the first two innings on the way to a season-opening victory over Eleva-Strum on Tuesday.
The Mustangs made the most of six hits to score a 6-3 victory over the Cardinals in a Dairyland Conference matchup.
Second baseman/pitcher Bella Rozek doubled twice and went 4 for 4 with four runs batted in for Melrose-Mindoro, which was a WIAA Division 4 sectional finalist last spring.
Rozek doubled home two runs before an out was recorded in the top of the first inning and added another two-run double to left in the top of the second. She also singled in the fourth and seventh innings and recorded two of the Mustangs’ seven stolen bases.
Center fielder Kelsey Young singled once, scored three runs, stole two bases and drove in a run. Shortstop Cooper Zeman also had two stolen bases for Melrose-Mindoro.
Rozek allowed one earned run, allowed three hits, struck out seven and walked four over four innings, while Opal Buchanan allowed one earned run on four hits with five strikeouts and two walks over three innings.
Arcadia 3, West Salem 2
WEST SALEM — The Panthers (1-1, 0-1) were able to erase two one-run deficits but not a third as the Raiders (2-0, 1-0) brought an end to West Salem’s 10-game Coulee Conference win streak.
Senior Josie Brudos struck out 10 batters, walked one and allowed two hits while pitching a complete game, but the Winona State commit gave up an important one0out double to junior Amaya Schlesser in the top of the sixth inning. Schlesser followed that hit with a steal of third base and broke a 2-2 tie by scoring on a sacrifice fly to right by junior Layna Wozney.
The Panthers loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth when freshman Parker Powell singled, sophomore Ava Hendrickson walked and Brudos was walked intentionally before the final out was recorded.
Senior Madison Elsen was 2 for 4 with a run batted in, and sophomore Brylee Vick drove in a run for West Salem.
G-E-T 10, Luther 0 (5)
ONALASKA — The Red Hawks (2-0, 1-0) put the Knights (0-2, 0-1) away with a four-run fifth inning.
Shortstop Rylee Weber was 2 for 2 with three stolen bases, and pitcher Addy Palubicki singled for Luther.
