A hot start by Mankato East was too much for the Hutchinson softball team Saturday, as the Tigers lost 4-2 to be eliminated from the Section 2AAA playoffs.

Playing in an elimination game, the No. 7-seed Tigers faced No. 5 Mankato East at Caswell Park in North Mankato.

The Cougars smacked a lead-off double to start the game, and followed with a two-run home run by Makenzie Hendley to take an early 2-0 lead.

Hutch had the bases loaded with one out in the third inning, but could only bring home one run on a Sydney Mandelkow sacrifice fly.

Two innings later, Hendley hit her second two-run home run to take a 4-1 lead over the Tigers.

Jasmine Schultz came in to score in the sixth for Hutch to cut the lead in half, but a 1-2-3 seventh inning sealed the Tigers’ fate.

Mankato East lost its next game 11-1 in five innings to No. 3 Mankato West to also be eliminated Saturday.

Hutch closed the season with a 7-14 overall record, and its second straight 1-2 section performance.

#5 Mankato East 4, #7 Hutchinson 2 (May 26, Section 2AAA playoffs, at Caswell Park)

Hutch … 001 001 0 -2

M.E. ….. 200 020 x – 4

Hutch stats

Batting – Jasmine Schultz 1-3, R; Sydney Mandelkow 0-2, RBI; Elizabeth Wortz 0-3; Alyssa Grutt 0-3; Shelby Mohr 0-2; Emily Pedersen 0-3; Paige Telecky 0-2, R; Mary Hilgemann 0-2; Grace Penke 0-1; Kendra White 1-3; Totals – 2-24, 2R, 1RBI, 0SB, 2BB

Pitching – Grace Penke (L) 4.2IP-7H-4R-4ER-1BB-1K; Shelby Mohr 1.1IP-2H-0R-0ER-1BB-0K

Mankato East stats

Batting – 9-26, 4R, 4RBI, 2SB, 2BB