No one said it was going to be easy. The Hutchinson softball team went 1-1 on day one at the Section 2AAA Tournament. The loss to No. 2 seed Prior Lake means Hutchinson will have to win seven straight games to advance to state.

In a first round that was dominated by lower seeds, the Tigers had no problem dispatching the No. 7 seed Buffalo Bison (8-11).

Hutchinson, seeded No. 10, scored six runs in the first two innings largely thanks to seniors Lynn Wegner and Trista Howell.

With No. 3 and 4 hitters Laura Carlson and Tessa Ewert setting the stage by reaching base, the next two hitters in the order did all the damage, driving in all 10 runs in the game.

With a 1-0 lead already, Wegner cleared the bases with a one-out, three-run double to help her own cause.

Howell continued the hit parade with an RBI-singe, which plated courtesy runner Carissa Hahn.
In the next inning, Wegner and Howell each had RBI-hits, including a double that plated Hahn from second base.

Buffalo notched 10 hits on the game, including four from Kristin Jeske, but the only run produced came on two-out single from Brianna Lubben in the third inning.

Hutchinson added to the lead with four runs in the sixth inning on four singles and a second double from Howell.

Wegner struck out four batters for her eighth win of the season.

In the nightcap with Missota Conference champions Prior Lake, Hutchinson managed only four hits off Brittany Lauterbach in an 8-0 loss.

The Tigers will now face No. 12 seed Waconia in the losers’ bracket at 5 p.m. today at Caswell Park in North Mankato.

The Wildcats (9-11) lost to Shakopee 4-3 in the opening round. Waconia knocked out Hutchinson in the losers’ bracket a season ago.

Eric Kraushar is the sports editor at the Hutchinson Leader. He can be reached at sports@hutchinsonleader.com.