LA CROSSE, Wis. — The Grand Forks Spitfires fell behind early Tuesday night and never recovered against the La Crosse Steam.
La Crosse held Grand Forks to four hits en route to a 10-3 win over the Spitfires in Northwoods League softball.
Grand Forks started pitcher Sadie Kahl, who went two innings and gave up one earned run. Reliever Mattison Kwarta gave up nine earned runs in four innings, walking five and striking out four.
La Crosse pitcher Preslynn Baker went all seven innings, allowing three earned runs despite walking eight. She struck out nine.
Grand Forks’ hitting effort was led by a pair of San Diego State athletes in the middle of the order.
Shannon Cunningham was 1-for-3 with a home run, two runs scored and two RBI. Her college teammate Kwarta was 1-for-1 with three walks to raise her team-best batting average to .480.
The bottom four hitters in Grand Forks’ lineup went a combined 0-for-11.
The Spitfires return home for a lengthy stretch at Albrecht Field. Grand Forks hosts the Wausau Ignite on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Thursday and Friday games start at 7:05 p.m., while Saturday starts at 6:05 p.m. and Sunday is at 5:05 p.m.
Staff reports and local scoreboards from the Grand Forks Herald Sports desk.