WHITE CLOUD — After dominating in Suttons Bay, the Mason County Eastern varsity softball team looked to continue that momentum on Friday as it hopped on the bus for White Cloud.

The Cardinals ended up splitting the non-conference doubleheader with the Indians. MCE narrowly dropped the opener 4-3. But it closed things out with a 12-5 win.

Entering the final week of the regular season, the Cardinals record sits at 11-12-1.

Game One

White Cloud opened the scoring in the third inning, taking a 1-0 lead.

MCE responded in the top of the fifth.

Senior Miley Kessel led off with a single and then Bridget Whitaker drew a walk. Kessel moved to third and then scored on passed balls, tying the game at one.

Bridget Whitaker scored on an error and then Brailyn Johnson crossed the plate on a grounder. When the dust settled, the Cardinals held a 3-1 lead.

The Indians rallied back in the bottom of the frame, taking a 4-3 lead.

They would hold on to win after the top of the seventh inning.

Kessel took the loss on the mound for MCE, despite hurling a gem. She struck out 14, walked five and gave up four hits.

Offensively, the Cardinals received contributions from Emma Whitaker (1 walk, 1 stolen base), Kessel (2-for-4, 1 run, 3 stolen bases), Bridget Whitaker (1 run, 1 walk), Johnson (1 run, 1 walk), Remington Smith (1 walk), Anna Story (1 RBI) and Hope Figgins (1 walk).

Game Two

MCE came out swinging in the top of the first inning.

Emma Whitaker and Bryanna Hasenbank drew walks. Emma Whitaker stole home with Bridget Whitaker at the dish and the Cardinals took a 1-0 lead.

In the top of the second, MCE’s lead increased to two runs as Emma Whitaker singled to right allowing Smith to score.

White Cloud scored a run in the bottom of the frame.

Hasenbank scored on a passed ball in the top of the third, increasing the Cardinals lead to 3-1.

In the top of the fourth, Story was struck by a pitch. She then stole second and advanced home on a passed ball. 4-1 MCE.

The Indians rattled off four runs in the bottom of the fifth, claiming a 5-4 lead.

The Cardinals tied the game in the sixth as Smith scored on a double play.

MCE’s offense caught fire in the seventh. Hope Figgins, Story, Kessel, Hasenbank, Bridget Whitaker, Johnson and Smith scored as it took a 12-5 lead.

Alice Shoup picked up the win for the Cardinals on the mound. She struck out four and walked one in two innings of work.

Kessel closed things out, pitching five innings and fanning seven. She walked five while allowing two earned runs.

MCE’s offense received contributions from Emma Whitaker (1 hit, 1 run, 1 RBI, 1 walk, 1 stolen base), Kessel (1 run, 1 hit, 1 RBI), Hasenbank (2 runs, 3 walks, 2 stolen bases), Johnson (1 run, 1 RBI, 1 walk), Smith (2-for-2, 3 runs, 2 RBI, 2 walks, 1 stolen base), Shoup (1 walk), Story (2 runs, 1 stolen base) and Figgins (1 run, 1 RBI, 2 walks).

The Cardinals open the week with a home doubleheader against Bear Lake on Tuesday. They close their regular season with as they head to Hesperia on Friday.