The Riverland softball team gave undermanned Minnesota West a rude opening to its season, sweeping a doubleheader 14-1 and 11-1 at Riverland Saturday afternoon in Austin.

"They played hard," Riverland coach Lisa Quednow-Bickler said of West, "but they only had nine kids, so their pitcher got pretty tired by the beginning of the second game."

There were plenty of hitting stars as the Blue Devils pounded out 18 hits in the first game. Melanie Gabrielson and Sarah Moore both went 3-for-3. Gabrielson had a double and an RBI while Moore had two triples. Erin Evans was 2-3 with a double and three RBIs, while Hannah Tvedt went 2-4 with a double and two RBIs.

Riverland was able to capitalize on a number of walks and wild pitches throughout the afternoon.

Abbey Bergstrom went three innings on the mound for Riverland, allowing only three hits and a run while fanning seven. Suzie Rayman pitched a perfect fourth in relief.

Mercifully, the second game ended after only an inning and a half as Minnesota West forfeited.

Tvedt led off the second game with a home run to continue where the Devils had left off.

Evans and Amber Nash both went 2-2 with 2 RBIs, while Moore drove in two with a single in her lone at bat.

Marissa Kelsey walked three but allowed only one hit while striking out the last two batters she faced.

"Marissa struggled a bit," said Quednow-Bickler, "but she recovered well to strike out the last two after those walks."

Riverland improves to 4-0 in conference play and 11-7 overall, while Minnesota West drops to 0-2.

"Our kids stayed focused today," said Quednow-Bickler, "but we're still getting comfortable with each other."

The Blue Devils travel to Mankato Tuesday for a doubleheader against Bethany Lutheran College.

Linescores:

Game One

Minn. West0001–135

Riverland4073–14180

WP–Bergstrom (4-3).

Game Two

Minn. West100–110

Riverland119–1190

WP–Kelsey (4-3).