Southeast Valley softball lost a heartbreaker in Algona on Thursday night bringing their overall record to 2-6. 

The Jaguar bats started hot. Sophomore shortstop Ellie Nolte got things started with a bang hitting a lead off homerun in the first followed by a single by Rowley. Rowley scored on an RBI double by junior Maddie Vansickle. Anna Correll, a courtesy runner for Vansickle, would be driven in by a RBI single off the bat of eighth grade outfielder Rian Schlief. The Jaguars would score again in the second inning when Lauren Eslick reached base on a single to the left side and later scored on sac fly by Nolte after stealing second base. 

The Jaguar bats would go quiet until the sixth and seventh innings. In their half of the sixth and with two outs on the board, the Jags would score off singles strung together by Eslick, Nolte, Scott, and Rowley, each one scoring to bring the Jags within four. In the seventh inning, the Jags would tie it up after a solid start by freshman Chloe Lambert followed by a single from sophomore Leilah Olson. Lauren Eslick would reach base after a sac bunt, loading the bases for Nolte, to drive in two and Rowley to rip a double up the middle, scoring Nolte from second. 

At the plate, the Jaguars were impressive with every single player hitting at least one single. The defensive side of the ball proved to be the downfall of the game. Junior Maddie Vansickle and freshman Chloe Lambert combined to throw a solid game in the circle, but the Jaguar defense committed six team errors and the Algona offense took advantage. Despite the scoreboard reading 12-13 in favor of the Bulldogs, the Southeast Valley softball team showed grit, perseverance, and didn’t give up until the last out of the game. 

The Jags complete their busy week in Harcourt on Friday for a home contest against Manson Northwest-Webster.