Tribune Notebook: Ridgewater Warriors' dynamic duo headed to Mary

Rescheduling because of weather has caused the Ridgewater College baseball team to reschedule its weekend games, moving a home doubleheader to a 1 p.m. start Sunday at Elsie Klemmetson Field against St. Cloud Technical & Community College. The two teams then play in St. Cloud for another doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. Monday.

Then, the Warriors are host to Alexandria Technical & Community College for another doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m. Wednesday. Then there are four games next weekend. They play at Minnesota State-Fergus Falls on Saturday, April 25, then are host to the Spartans for two beginning at 1 p.m. Sunday, April 26.

All told, Ridgewater has 10 games in the next eight days.

'It is what it is," Ridgewater head coach Tyler Hebrink said. "It's going to be the ultimate task."

The Warriors are 2-4 in the MCAC and 11-9 overall. Hebrink said the schedule has been especially difficult, with games against powerful Century College, Riverland and Alex Tech.

"Since we've been back from Florida, our schedule has been really tough," he admitted.

Ridgewater has hit well. Seven starters are batting .300 or better, including Nolan Eischens (.406), Luke Kester (.403), Davis Patzer (.397), Luke Jeseritz (.361), Elliot Domagala (.358), Blake Morris (.314) and Joe Liebl (.300).

The pitching has struggled, with a team earned-run average of 9.42.

The Ridgewater softball team has moved its home doubleheader with St. Cloud Technical & Community College back to 3 p.m. Monday in Willmar. The Warriors then play a doubleheader Tuesday at Anoka-Ramsey before getting another home doubleheader with Rochester Community & Technical College beginning at 3 p.m. Wednesday.

The Warriors are 5-5 in the MCAC, 6-8 overall and fighting for a top-three finish in their conference. The top three advance to regional play. Ridgewater is currently third, right behind nationally ranked St. Cloud, but in contention with Anoka-Ramsey, Rochester and Minnesota West.

"It's going to be a tough battle," Ridgewater head coach Jordyn Swoboda said.

Offensively, the Warriors have been led by Nevaeh Rahm (.417 average, .512 on-base percentage, .750 slugging percentage), Aly Wendlandt (.350/.435/.550), Madison Norsten (.324/.468/.514), Kylie Pauls (.311/.385/.400) and Hannah Magnuson (.289/.407/.289).

Rahm is the only sophomore on the roster. She's from Fairmont and has thrown 71-2/3 of the team's 81 innings. Wendlandt is from New London-Spicer. Norsten and Magnuson are from Willmar and Pauls is from Paynesville.

When Paynesville softball coach Zach Nelson began practice in March, he figured Ava Albrecht might be one of his top three pitchers this spring.

The sophomore right-hander had a good ninth-grade season on the junior varsity and Nelson knew she could throw strikes.

"Honestly, I thought she probably would be our No. 3," Nelson said.

Because of injuries, she has become the young Bulldogs' ace. And, she's still throwing strikes.

She has issued two walks in five games and 32-2/3 innings.

"She keeps the ball down and she's got a little movement on it," Nelson said.

Paynesville is off to a 3-1 start in the Central Minnesota Conference and is 4-2 overall. The Bulldogs split a doubleheader with Maple Lake on Thursday, winning 6-5 and losing 8-3. Albrecht got the Game 1 win, striking out three with no walks. She allowed six hits over seven innings, including two earned runs.