Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial pitchers Katy Sandt and Whitney Johnson were nearly unhittable Tuesday, and the result was two victories to open the Section 2A softball tournament.

“In our section, it’s a big advantage (to win the first two games),” LCWM coach Kari Schwarz said. “It’s so competitive, any of the teams can got to state.”

LCWM opened the tournament with an 8-3 victory over Mountain Lake-Butterfield-Odin, then defeated Madelia-Truman 11-1 in six innings to advance to the winners’ bracket semifinals.

Against MLBO, Sandt struck out 18 and allowed five hits. She also had three hits and scored two runs, while Bre Ziegler had two hits. LCWM scored five runs in the fifth to build a margin.

In the victory over Madelia-Truman, Johnson also struck out 18, in just six at-bats.

“Her riseball was very effective, especially in the wind,” Schwarz said. “She had good placement and speed.”

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