The Spencer Tiger Softball team managed to dodge the weather on Thursday night as they hosted North Union for a non-conference matchup.

It was an impressive pitcher’s dual through the first 4 innings between the Warriors’ Ainsley Ulrich and Tigers’ Jersey Vail.

It was Spencer finally breaking through in the 5th inning when Olivia Huckfelt launched her 2nd home run of the season over the left field fence with Shaylee Sutherland on to make it 2-0.

North Union would respond in the top of the 6th when Brylie Deim doubled to score Olivia Price, making the score 2-1. Despite the score and a runner in scoring position with only one out, Vail navigated out of trouble and kept a 1-run lead for the Tigers going into the 6th.

Spencer not only bought some insurance in the bottom of the 6th but piled up a sizeable policy as the Tigers struck for 5 runs, highlighted by Jersey Vail’s 2-RBI single that drove in Mercedes Krieg and Taylor Larson.

With a comfortable 7-1 lead going into the top of the 7th, Vail and the Tiger defense retired the first batter before back-to-back singles from Maisey Bierstedt and Shallie Walders. North Union’s Beth Strueber would fly out to Hannah Moser in left and the game ended on a nice play by Spencer Shortstop Delaney Seaman, snagging the grounder and whipping it across the diamond to Maddy Steven for the final out.

The 7-1 win is Spencer’s first of the season as they improve to 1-6 on the year. The Warriors pick up their second blemish on the year as they fall to 4-2. Next up for North Union is a conference matchup with Bishop Garrigan tonight in Swea City. The Tigers have a big challenge coming up in Class 3A’s #3 team Estherville Lincoln Central on Monday in Spencer.

Jersey Vail picks up the win, her first on the year, throwing 7 innings, allowing 8 hits, an earned run, walked 3 and struck out 3.

Ainsley Ulrich takes the loss for North Union, her 2nd of the year as she threw 7 innings while allowing 7 hits, 7 runs, 6 earned, walked 5 and struck out 6.

Spencer was led offensively by Olivia Huckfelt, who had a run on a home run, 2 hits and a couple RBI in 4 at bats.

Olivia Price had a hit and a run for the Warriors in the loss.

Here are other Softball scores from Thursday.