The Rush City softball team hosted Moose Lake-Willow River on Tuesday.
The Tigers had a late season test against what was one of the power houses in Class AA, but the Rebels since moved to Class A. MLWR has a young team this year but plenty of talent. Rush City also has their fair share of youth with a ton of talent. The Rebels got out to an early 1-0 lead after the 1st inning. One run may not seem like much but for the Tigers who didn't have a baserunner or a hit through three innings of play it certainly felt much bigger. Heading into the bottom of the 4th, MLWR held a 2-0 lead. The Tigers were hoping just to at least put a runner on the basepath, and they were able to so. They would see three runs cross the plate on 2 hits to take their first lead of the day.
Now it was up to the Tigers defense to make the necessary stops in the field, and they did just that. And in the bottom of the 5th the Tigers would add three more runs to extend their lead 6-2, thanks in part to Kendal Pillar who crushed a 2 run shot over the right field fence.
The Rebels offense would not be stopped for long, in the 6th they able to grab a few hits and score a run. Rush City hoped to add some insurance runs in the 6th but were held off the board. Now in the 7th it was up to the Tigers fielders and pitching to end the game. But with one out the Rebels loaded the bases and the go ahead run was at the plate. The Tigers forced a fly ball for the 2nd out. Pillar struck out the final batter to finish the game with a win 6-3.
The Tigers improve to 14-2 on the season. They'll host Ogilvie on Thursday. Then Friday the last regular season game will be the toughest one yet. They will host the #1 team in their section and the #5 team in Class AA, Proctor.
