Area softball: Pepin 2, New Lisbon 1

The Lakers scored two runs in the bottom of the first and that's all they'd need to win the Division 4 sectional semifinal Tuesday in New Lisbon thanks to their defense and pitching.

Pepin (21-2) advanced to play Highland in the sectional final at 4 p.m. Friday in Boscobel, Wis. Highland defeated Belmont 9-1 Tuesday.

The Lakers and Rockets were pitted in a clean game as neither team committed an error. One of the best defensive plays came in the top of the seventh inning with runners on first and second and two down.

The New Lisbon batter hit a line drive up the middle that ricocheted off the top of pitcher Breanna Ellison's glove. Shortstop Ali Murray sprinted across the field, fielded the ball and threw out the batter for the final out.

"She's an animal out there," Pepin coach Matt Bellerive said of Murray. "She covers so much ground it's unbelievable."

Ellison pitched all seven innings to get the win. After allowing a run in the first she kept New Lisbon off the scoreboard the rest of the night. She struck out seven, walked three and allowed six hits.

Murray scored the Lakers' first run on a passed ball and then Brianna Kricher drove in Ellison with a base hit.

Murray, Kircher and Tasha Heit finished with two hits apiece.

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