Pillager at Wadena-Deer Creek

Preview

In a crisp spring showdown of two Park Region contenders on divergent early-season paths, the Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines weathered an early flurry from the Pillager Huskies before erupting in a pivotal third inning en route to an 8-5 victory Tuesday afternoon.

Pillager (1–4) came in searching for a statement win and found early promise in the top of the second. Three hits, a walk, and some savvy baserunning staked the Huskies to a 3–0 lead, with sophomore spark plug Lauren Anderson crossing the plate for the first of her two runs. Anderson and teammate Sophia Schrom anchored the Pillager attack, both going 3-for-4. Schrom drove in a pair, including Anderson’s second run in the third to push the lead to 4–1.

But the Wolverines (3–1) responded with the poise of a team not content to play from behind.

Freshman Celia Rinino ignited the comeback, scoring WDC’s opening run off a booming triple to right by junior Lily Parker in the bottom of the second. That momentum carried into a thunderous third inning where the Wolverines flipped the script, plating seven runs with a relentless blend of patience, contact, and opportunism. That inning alone accounted for all but one of the team’s eight runs.

From there, it became a pitchers’ duel. Wadena-Deer Creek’s Montana Carsten settled in brilliantly, going the full seven innings, allowing just six hits, walking three and striking out five. She silenced the Huskies after their early outburst, stranding baserunners and never allowing a momentum shift.

Pillager’s Brianna Blais battled through six innings, leaning on her defense and striking out three. Despite surrendering nine hits and walking two, Blais kept the Huskies close, but the third-inning avalanche proved too much to overcome.

For the Huskies, it’s back to the drawing board as they hit the road Thursday for a doubleheader against Bertha-Hewitt/Verndale. The Wolverines, meanwhile, look to keep their momentum rolling as they travel to Parkers Prairie for another conference test.

It was a game of surges, resilience, and emerging stars — with a freshman’s spark and a junior’s cannon shot turning the tide in Wadena’s favor.