With the winds blowing out at Rogers Park Monday night, the third-ranked (Class 1A) St. Edmond and No. 11 (3A) Algona softball teams put on an offensive clinic.

In the end, it was the Bulldogs prevailing, moving one step closer to securing the North Central Conference title from the Gaels, 15-14.

Algona (19-4 overall, 11-1 in league) earned its first season sweep over St. Edmond (21-9, 10-3) since the 2017 season. They can earn the outright NCC championship with a win over Clear Lake on Wednesday.

“We never stopped fighting, and I’m proud of the girls for that,” SEHS head coach Bill Shirbroun said. “We didn’t play a great game in the field, and it felt like each mistake we made, Algona took advantage of. That’s what good teams do.

“But I also felt like we took advantage of their mistakes, too. We had some big hits and big performances from several kids to give us a chance.”

The Gaels, who have won at least a share of four straight league titles, had the game-tying run on base in the seventh, but Allison Trunkhill was able to record the final out to secure the win after Algona plated three in the top of the inning to take the lead.

All of that came on the heels of a grand slam by Rihanna Myers that put St. Edmond ahead, 14-12. It was the second grand slam of the night for the Gaels, as Breckyn Ulrich hit one in the third for her first career home run.

Myers finished 3-for-4 with six RBI and two runs scored, as Ulrich went 2-for-4 with four RBI and two runs. Faith Shirbroun had three hits, scored four times and drove in a run, as both Ella Vandi and Sophia Schlienz each scored twice.

“We knew this was going to be an uphill challenge after playing them earlier this year,” Shirbroun said. “They are a quality team that has a lot of dangerous hitters in the lineup. These games will only make us better as we head toward the postseason.”

For Algona, Trunkhill was 5-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored in addition to earning the win inside the circle. Makenna Elsbecker drove in three runs, as Bella Jo Dunning, Jillian Burns and Emma Spear each had two RBI.

The Bulldogs became the first NCC team to sweep St. Edmond since Webster City accomplished the feat in 2019. They host Estherville-LC on Tuesday night.

Up next for the Gaels will be the home finale on Wednesday vs. Clarion-Goldfield/Dows.

ALGONA 15, ST. EDMOND 14

Algona 041 502 3 — 15 19 7

St. Edmond 215 204 0 — 14 11 3

WP–Allison Trunkhill (7 IP, 11 H, 5 ER, 3 K, 1 BB). LP–Toryn Helle (3+ IP, 11 H, 7 ER, 1 K, 2 BB).

HR–A: Emma Spear; SE: Breckyn Ulrich, Rihanna Myers. 2B–A: Makenna Elsbecker, Katie Trunkhill, Maya Lentz; SE: Ella Vandi, Faith Shirbroun. RBI–A: Maya Lentz, Bella Jo Dunning (2), Jillian Burns (2), Emma Spear (2), Allison Trunkhill (2), Makenna Elsbecker (3), Gabby Venteicher; SE: Faith Shirbroun, Rihanna Myers (6), Breckyn Ulrich (4), Jade Rock.