The Falcon softball team lost to Ripon, 6-5, and was eliminated from NCAA Regional play at Eau Claire on Saturday.

The Falcons scored twice in the first inning. Patty Olson (Roseville, MN, Roseville) led off with a walk and after two outs, Ashley Goettl (North Mankato, MN, West) doubled off the left field fence to score Olson. Goettl, who advanced to third on the throw to home, also scored on the play on a throwing error by the catcher.

Ripon tied the game, 2-2, when Cassie Bilotto hit a two-run homer to center in the first. It was the second homer that Bilotto hit against the Falcons during the Regional.

Ripon took a 6-2 lead in the fourth. The first batter reached second on a Falcon throwing error and the next batter singled to right to score the runner. After a walk, a double to left scored two. Then another single up the middle scored the fourth run of the inning.

In the Falcon sixth, Jessie Bester hit a three-run line-drive homer to left center to draw the Falcons to within one. Hayley Buchanan (Eden Prairie, MN, Eden Prairie) led off reaching first on an error. Later Alyssa Black (Mankato, MN, West) singled to left to set up Bester's homer. It was her first homer of the year.

In the seventh, Dana Book struck out but a wild pitch put Book on first. Olson laid down a sacrifice bunt to put pinch runner Nicole Lubahn (Wanamingo, MN, Kenyon-Wanamingo) on second. But the next two Falcons batters went out to end the game.

The Falcons had five runs on five hits and made one error. Ripon scored six runs on seven hits and made three errors.

Black finished 2-3 with a run scored and Bester was 1-3 with three RBI and a run scored.

Rose Tusa (Roseville, MN, St. Anthony Village) started on the mound. She worked the first two innings and the last two. In all, she worked four innings and allowed three hits. She allowed two earned runs. She walked four and struck out five. Sarah Bohlen (Rochester, MN, Mayo) worked two innings and took the loss. She finished the year 2-2. She allowed allowed four hits and four runs – three were earned. She walked two.

The Falcons ended their season with a 28-15 record.

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