By Tom Schardin, Staff Writer

The Prior Lake softball team sandwiched two Missota Conference wins between a runner-up finish at the Apple Valley Invitational on May 3.

The Lakers (11-4 overall, 7-1 in the conference) took Apple Valley nine innings in the title game, but lost 1-0 to the Lake Conference team. Prior Lake earned its way into the finals with a 6-1 win over Anoka in the semifinals and a 6-2 triumph over Owatonna in the quarterfinals

Prior Lake headed into the invite following a 1-0, nine-inning win over rival Shakopee in a conference game on May 1. The Lakers rolled over Hutchinson 10-1 in conference game on May 7.

“The tournament went very well,” said Lakers co-coach Mona Glass. “We were able to score a few runs in the first two games. Our hitters are looking for pitches they can drive, instead of just putting the ball in play. Our pitchers continue to pitch well for us.”

Sophomore Brittany Lauterbach hurled 13 innings in the tournament, including all nine innings in the title game. In her two outings, she allowed six hits and no earned runs, while striking out 16. Apple Valley’s winning run, which was unearned, came with two outs in the ninth.

Sophomore Andrea Seurer pitched a complete-game in the semifinals, allowing three hits and no earned runs.

The Lakers had only four hits in the title game, two coming from Lauterbach and one apiece from Seurer and sophomore Katelyn Berens.

Against Anoka, junior Samantha Mansfeldt went two for four with three RBIs and two runs scored. Seurer had two RBIs, while sophomore Ashley Flaschenriem had two hits and an RBI. Sophomore Miranda Larson had two runs scored.

In the win over Owatonna, Flaschenriem went three for three with a double, two runs scored and two RBIs. Mansfeldt, Jessica Lauterbach and Brittany Lauterbach each one hit and one RBI.

“Flaschenriem is hitting very well,” said Glass. “She is really coming on strong, which is very fun to see.”

Glass also enjoyed watching Brittany Lauterbach dominate rival Shakopee over nine innings. Lauterbach struck out 14 batters in her three-hit shutout.

Senior Becka Barber provided the game’s only run with an RBI triple in the top of the ninth inning.

Against Hutchinson, Seurer earned the win, pitching four hitless innings and allowing one unearned run, while striking out five. Seurer walked the first batter of the game; and a passed ball and two wild pitches later the Lakers’ were down 1-0.

But Seurer was dominant after that, and at one point retired eight straight hitters. Brittany Lauterbach was also dominant, pitching the final three innings and allowing one hit and striking out six.

At the plate, Mansfeldt went two for four with two RBIs. Jessica Lauterbach went two for three with two runs scored and an RBI.

Also getting RBIs were Brittany Lauterbach, junior Kelsey Ennega and sophomore Emily Gregory.

The Lakers broke the game wide open with six runs in the sixth inning to take a 10-1 lead.

“We have a lot of momentum going, and hopefully we can continue on and carry that into the section tournament,” said Glass.

The Lakers are back on the field today, May 8 when they play at Northfield for a conference game at 4:15 p.m. Prior Lake will take on Farmington on Friday, May 9, which was rained out on May 7, starting at 4:15 p.m.

The Lakers will close out the regular season next week with four games – versus Holy Angels on Monday, May 12, at Red Wing on May 13, versus Northfield on May 14 and versus Shakopee on May 15.

The Section 2AAA tournament starts May 20 and will be played in Caswell Park in Mankato. The 12-team field is wide open with no ranked teams in it.

Teams in the section with the Lakers include Buffalo, Chaska, Eden Prairie, Mankato East, Mankato West, Minnetonka, New Prague, Shakopee, Waconia, Willmar and Hutchinson.

This year’s Class AAA state tournament is set June 5-6 at Caswell Park. The Lakers’ last state appearance was in 2005.