Softball: Tigers stay in the hunt with 1-0 win

Ashley Betzold 2-hit shutout (photo by Jim Lindquist)

Farmington held on to a share of first place in the Missota Conference with a 1-0 win at Northfield Thursday afternoon.

The victory leaves the Tigers with an 8-2 league mark, the same as co-leader Shakopee. Chanhassen lost to Chaska Tuesday and fell a game behind the leaders.

Farmington's second shutout of the year over the Raiders featured a pitching battle between Ashley Betzold and Kaitlyn Bicek.

Betzold got the win thanks to seven strikeouts and an ability to pitch out of tight situations. The junior righthander has struck out 21 batters in her past two outings.

Allie Rice game-winning hit (photo by Jim Lindquist

Farmington scored the lone run of the game in the fourth inning when Toni Hunsinger reached on a throwing error and came around to score on back-to-back singles by Betzold and Allie Rice.

"It was a classic fatspitch match-up of two very good pitchers," Harrington said. "The sixth and seventh innings were nail-biters. They had runners in scoring position in both of them....Once again, a timely hit proved to be the difference in the game."

The Tigers had a season-low three hits in the contest but the Raiders could manage but two off Betzold.

Farmington takes a break from conference play Saturday when it makes the short drive to Aronson Park in Lakeville for the Panther Invitational. The Tigers open  the eight-team tourney with a 4:00 p..m. match-up with St. Francis.