Hayfield scored all five of its runs in the first two innings and managed to fend off a fighting Kasson-Mantorville club in a 5-4 Hiawatha Valley League-opening victory for the Viking softball team Friday in Hayfield.

Leadoff hitter Megan Woslager and No. 2 hitter Michelle Emerick each scored twice to highlight Hayfield's lackluster victory. The Vikings (3-0, 1-0) stranded six runners on base over the final five innings as Kasson-Mantorville climbed back into the match.

Hayfield pitcher Amy Nelson earned the victory despite distributing eight walks to the KoMets' cause. All four of K-M's runs were earned to Nelson, who battled inconsistency but struck out three and allowed only six hits.

Kasson-Mantorville relied on its defense to do the job, which it did after the first two innings. KoMet pitcher Jessica Larson walked six, hit one batter, but struck out one and allowed only five hits and four earned runs. Woslager and Emerick each walked to lead off Hayfield's at-bat in the bottom of the first inning, and came around to score on a fielder's choice off the bat of Cassie Kraetsch and a single by Crystal Stier.

Melanie Masching's bases-loaded grounder died in the dirt in front of the plate, and Kasson-Mantorville escaped serious damage early with a double play. Hayfield had the bases loaded with no outs after Stier's single, but could manage no more after the double play killed the rally.

No. 9 hitter Amy Eggert started things with a one-out walk in the second, moved to second on a wild pitch, took third on a passed ball, and scored on Emerick's bunt single one batter later. Woslager, who had walked ahead of Emerick, moved around to score on a single to right by Kraetsch.

Clinging to a two-run lead, Hayfield's Eggert led off the bottom of the sixth with a single, and moved all the way to third when the left fielder's throw missed second base. With no outs and the top of the order at the plate, the Vikings were unable to pick up another insurance run.

Kasson-Mantorville's Megan Dorschner tripled to deep right to lead off the seventh and scored on a sacrifice fly to right one out later. A pop-up to Eggert at third ended the game.

K-M was called out on two of three close plays at the plate, sealing the loss for the KoMets (0-1, 0-1).

Heather Crabtree had the only other Hayfield hit not aforementioned, while Kraetsch reached base on every at-bat.

Hayfield hits it heavy in the HVL with road games at Pine Island on Monday and at Lake City on Tuesday.

Call Ross Thede at 434-2234 or e-mail him at :mailto:sports@austindailyherald.com.