STERLING — The Ellsworth High School Lady ‘Cats softball team couldn’t stop Sterling’s offense Tuesday, April 9, in the first of two away games.

In the first game, the Lady Bears shutout the Lady ‘Cats 15-0 in four innings. Ellsworth fell behind early as an error helped Sterling score two runs. The Lady ‘ Bears went on to score six runs in the first inning, one in the second and eight in the fourth inning to wrap up the game.

Ellsworth was never able to get on the board as Sterling’s pitcher, Elizabeth Horsch, pitched a no-hitter. Horsch struck out 10 players.

Lady ‘Cat Brenna Pruitt took the loss, allowing four hits and 13 runs over three innings.

Ellsworth 3, Sterling 7

Despite the Lady ‘Cats scoring first, they couldn’t keep the momentum going as Sterling defeated Ellsworth in the second game of the double header.

An error on a hit by Brenna Pruitt scored teammates Sydney Wilson and Courtney Wise in the first inning. Pruitt later scored in the same inning, following a hit from Ellsworth’s Jaide Talbott.

After scoring two runs in the first inning, Sterling pulled away for good in the third inning after scoring four more runs. Pruitt took the loss for Ellsworth, pitching six innings. Pruitt gave up seven runs on 11 hits and struck out three.

Wise went 2-for-4 at the plate to lead the Lady ‘Cats in hits.

After tough losses against Sterling earlier in the week, the Lady ‘Cats rallied Friday, winning a double header on the road against Minneapolis.

Ellsworth 5, Minneapolis 2

In the first game, Ellsworth scored in the opening inning, when Sierra Kraatz singled on a 0-1 count, scoring one run. The Lady ‘Cats had seven hits in all, with Hannah Wilson leading her team with three hits in three at bats. Ellsworth’s Kassie Sheridan, Jaide Talbott, Kraatz and Wilson all had two stolen bases each. Pitcher Brenna Pruitt got the win, allowing just three hits and two runs over seven innings. Pruitt had two strikeouts.

Ellsworth 9, Minneapolis 6

The Lady ‘Cats continued their winning ways in the second game, recording 10 hits. The Lions got on the board in the first inning after an error scored a run for Minneapolis. But by the third inning, the game soon belonged to Ellsworth after the Lady ‘Cats scored six runs in the third and three runs in the sixth for the win. Breanna Pruitt got the win, giving up six runs on seven hits over seven innings. Ellsworth’s Sierra Kraatz, Sydney Wilson and Hannah Wilson all had multiple hits. Kraatz led the Lady ‘Cats with three hits in four at bats. Players Nicole Haase, Lizzy Hipp, Wilson, Kraatz, Hannah Wilson, Jaide Talbott and Natalie Rolfs all had two stolen bases. Sydney Wilson, Kraatz, Talbott and Rolfs each recorded two RBIs for the game.