Softball: Pine Island upsets Z-M

Seventh-seeded Pine Island upset fourth-ranked Zumbrota-Mazeppa Friday 8-4 in eight innings in Zumbrota to open the 1AA West subsection playoffs.

The Panthers tied the game 4-4 in the seventh and scored four runs in the eighth to beat the second-seeded Cougars (18-3) and end their season.

Five errors and a lack of hitting throughout the lineup contributed to the loss for Z-M. Only four of Pine Island’s runs were earned and the Cougars got four of their six hits from their leadoff and No. 9 hitter.

“It was disappointing hitting-wise but it was more disappointing defensively,” Z-M head coach Kevin Nelson said. “We basically gave them the game.”

Courtney Pahl drove in the game-winning run in the eighth with a double to score Allison Newton. Sarah Lenn tied the game in the seventh with a two-out hit.

The Cougars committed two errors in the second inning, which led to two runs and had an error in the seventh to allow the tying run to score.

Despite the sloppy fielding, Z-M held a lead after the fourth inning. Megan Nelson hit a two-run homer in the fourth to give the Cougars a 4-3 lead that nearly held up.

“We had our chances to get back in it and didn’t do it,” Kevin Nelson said.

Megan Nelson finished 2-for-3 with a double, home run and three RBI. Morgan Olson went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI for Z-M, which had beaten the Panthers 8-0 in the regular season.

The Cougars left two runners on base in the second inning and again left two on in the sixth inning.

Megan Nelson threw all eight innings and allowed eight runs, four earned, on 13 hits. Five of those hits came in the eighth inning. Megan Nelson struck out six and walked one.

“We had too many errors and gave them too many chances,” Kevin Nelson said.

Tags: sports, prep, softball, zumbrota, mazeppa