“Really gritty,” Madelia head coach Michael Schwanke said. “It’s pretty much the first time we’ve been outside, so I like to see our defense. We’re going to have a strong defense again this year and we’re returning a lot of starters from last year. We’re still pretty young, we have one senior, so the girls that we have have been playing together for a few years.”

Emily Jacobs earned the win in the circle, going 2 1/3 innings and allowing two hits. Makayla Sorenson made the start, going 4 2/3 innings with nine strikeouts and allowing one hit and three earned runs. Emmy Johnson led the Blackhawks at the plate, going 2 for 3 with a run scored, while Lauryn Grev had a hit, two RBIs and a run scored. Jacobs added an RBI and a run scored.

Nora Grace Otto took the loss for MVL, allowing one run on two hits while striking out two in three innings of work. Katlyn Stadick started the game, striking out five and allowing three runs on three hits with no walks in three innings. At the plate, Jessica Meunier had a hit and two RBIs, while Karlee Prahl earned a hit and an RBI. Grace Onken scored two runs.

Despite the loss, first-year MVL head coach Nick Otto said his team played well defensively in the season opener.

Staff photo by Ari Selvey Minnesota Valley Lutheran’s Avery Menk (1) celeberates with Grace Onken (18) after scoring a run during a nonconference softball game against Madelia Thursday at Searles softball park.

“I thought we did really well,” he said. “I thought our defensive players — we have some new spots and new positions people are playing in — and they succeeded very well. We are a young team overall. We have four seniors that have been playing together for quite a few years, but our young team has really bonded with everybody else and has given some good unity.

“I think we struggled a little bit with at-bats, maybe a little bit stronger speed than what we practiced the last practice, but overall I thought we’re pretty solid when it comes to getting on base.”

MVL drew 10 walks during the game.

Both teams went scoreless in the first two innings, with Sorenson striking out six batters and striking out two. MVL picked up the first run of the game the third inning with Onken drawing a walk, advancing to second on another walk and then going home on a single by Prahl to score.

Madelia responded later in the inning, with a double by Grev plating Johnson and Madelyn Lehman to go up 2-1. Madelia added another run in the inning as Grev scored on an error.

After a scoreless fourth, MVL tied the game in the fifth with a two-run single by Meunier as Onken and Avery Menk came home. Jacobs coaxed a pop out to close the inning with two MVL runners on base to limit the damage.

Madelia was able to get one final run across in the sixth inning, with a groundout from Jacobs bringing home a runner to go up 4-3.

“The girls playing together, playing as a team,” Schwanke said. “Our juniors really stepped up, came through with come clutch hits, especially with girls in scoring position. Came at a good time to hit.”

In the top of the seventh, MVL made contact with three straight batters but were unable to get on base as the Madelia defense held with two groundouts and a pop out to seal the win.

Madelia (1-0) hosts Cleveland on Tuesday. MVL (0-1) hosts United South Central on Tuesday.