With the conference lead on the line, the Riverland softball team swept a doubleheader from Central Lakes in Brainerd Monday.

The Blue Devils made it exciting in the opener, eking out a 2-1 win in 11 innings, but then blew out a disheartened Central Lakes squad 9-0 in the nightcap.

"We knew that the team that lost the first game would have the wind knocked out of them, it was such an intense, excellent game," said Riverland head coach Lisa Quednow-Bickler.

Marissa Kelsey pitched all 11 innings in Game One, allowing 14 hits but only one unearned run. She also drove in the winning run for good measure with a bases-loaded single.

"She was tired of pitching, so she just decided to get a hit," Quednow-Bickler joked.

Not to be outdone, Abbey Bergstrom fired a five-inning no-hitter in Game Two, her first of the season. The only blemish on her gem came when she hit a batter in the head with a pitch. The player was OK though.

Riverland is now 12-2 in conference play and 17-6 overall. Next on the schedule is a twinbill today with Bethany Lutheran, the only other conference team to have split a doubleheader with the Devils this season. Game time is 3:30 p.m.