The Staples Motley softball Cardinals split a Mid State Conference doubleheader on April 20 with Pequot Lakes. The girls started out this week with a trip to Little Falls on April 26, dropping a n 8 - 2 game to the Flyers.

The girls fini shed their week with three wins and four losses so f ar this season.

In their first game against Pequot, Patriot hurler Kayla Wangen recorded the 5-4 win and also went 2-2 with two RBIs and two runs scored.

The Cardinals prevailed 6-1 in the second game behind the pitching of Abby Edin and the offense of Taylor Tomann, who was 2-4. Outfielder Lonna Dumpprope recorded nine putouts.

Monday at Little Falls, the young Cardinal squad had a tough outing, Coach Bruce Onischuk said. “We had several base running mistakes that hurt us. We squandered too many opportunities to score.”

The Cards scored their two runs on eight hits and had one error.

Onischuk said eighth grade catcher MacKenzie Holst had a good night, going two for four at the plate with one run batted in.

“Defensively, she had a great night, throwing out a runner trying to steal second and picking off a runner at first base.”

Kelsey Zetah remains solid at second base. She was also two for two at the plate and she walked twice, the coach noted.

Pitcher Abby Edin was two for three with an RBI and left fielder Taylor Tomann was one for two.

“Hopefully, we can learn from our mistakes and improve as the season progresses. Our schedule continues to get tougher,” Onischuk said.

The girls traveled to Pelican Rapids Tuesday and will be at Park Rapids this Friday night. They return home Tuesday, May 4, to host Detroit Lakes on the Cardinal field at 4 p.m.