12-run 2nd inning propels Rochester Mayo to 27-0 win over Albert Lea

The Rochester Mayo Spartans made quick work of the Albert Lea Tigers softball team Thursday, scoring 18 runs in the first two innings en route to a 27-0 win.

Behind starting pitcher Jacqueline Cliby, the Spartans (1-0, 1-0 Big Nine) held the Tigers (0-1, 0-1) to three hits in their season opener at J.M. Snyder Field. Abby Pleiss, Emily Stoneking and Alayna Wood each recorded a hit for the Tigers.

With only three returning letterwinners on the team, the inexperienced Tigers struggled with opening-day jitters.

“It’s not a good start,” coach Dan Harms said. “We weren’t mentally prepared and had a lot of costly errors.”

The Tigers committed eight errors during the game while the Spartans committed none.

“No one player was taking the blame,” Harms said. “It was the whole team.”

Cliby only faced 19 batters and struck out four while walking none. Tigers’ starter Krystle Nelson walked six batters and recorded no strikeouts.

The Tigers play again at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Mankato West.

Rochester Mayo 27, Albert Lea 0

RM 6123 24 — 27 16 0

AL 000 00 — 0 3 8

WP — Jacqueline Cliby 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 SO

LP — Krystle Nelson 5 IP, 16 H, 27 R, 6 BB, 0 SO