NEW ULM — Mariah Piotter, Ashlyn Donner and Meleah Reinhart shared pitching duties to guide the New Ulm Eagles to a narrow 3-1 Big South Conference softball victory over the Fairmont Cardinals on Tuesday at Harman Park in New Ulm.

New Ulm clinched a spot in the conference championship game with the two-run decision. The Eagles (14-3, 11-1 BSC) play host to Pipestone Area on Thursday for the league crown.

Donner allowed two hits in four shutout innings of relief, striking out seven, to earn the victory. Reinhart hurled a scoreless seventh to net the save, while Piotter struck out three and allowed one run in pitching the first two innings.

The Cardinals actually reached the scoreboard first in the BSC clash as Taylor Nuss singled and scored on Courtney Williams’ RBI double in the top of the first inning. Ericka Kim added Fairmont’s third hit later in the game.

Jordan Ehlert allowed three runs on eight hits, walking two in six innings pitched to absorb the tough loss for the Cardinals.

Fairmont (14-6, 9-3 BSC) awaits the outcome of the Section 2AA playoffs that begin next Tuesday.

New Ulm handed Fairmont its first junior varsity loss of the season via a 5-2 decision on Tuesday in New Ulm.

Lexus Wojtanowicz tripled and singled to top the Cardinals’ offense, while teammate Chloe Murphy delivered a triple. Sydney Hainy, Jen Moeller and Whitney Scott each contributed hits for Fairmont.

Jen Moeller allowed five runs on eight hits, struck out eight and walked two in six innings of work to take the loss for the Cardinals (14-1).

Mankato Loyola 4, Martin County West 2 — RaeAnn Dose tripled and scored two runs in the Crusaders’ two-run win over the Mavericks during Valley Conference action on Tuesday in Welcome.

Sarah Halgom also hit a triple in the win for the Crusaders.

Karlee Thiesse, Jenna Steele and Madison Klima each had a hit for the Mavericks.

Kayla Gross allowed two runs on three hits and two walk while totaling seven strikeouts for the complete-game victory. Jordan Stahl gave up four runs on six hits with a walk and eight strikeouts over seven innings to take the loss.

Martin County West (11-5, 6-2 Valley) play Madelia/Truman at 4:30 p.m. Thursday in Madelia.

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Kayla Fross (WP) and Zoey Weller. Jordan Stahl (LP) and Karlee Thiesse.

Nicollet 10, Madelia/Truman 6 — Nicole Hall doubled twice and drove in two runs to help the Raiders outslug the Jayhawks, 10-6, during Valley Conference action Tuesday in Madelia.

Brooke Skrien doubled, singled and drove in one run, while Hannah Beckius singled home two runs to round out Nicollet’s 10-hit offensive performance.

Chloe Hartman went 3-for-4, including a double, and collected two RBIs and scored once to top the Jayhawks’ nine-hit effort.

Briana Ardolf went 2-for-4 with one RBI and a run scored for Madelia/Truman, while Cara Teigum and Carissa Caraway each delivered RBI doubles.

Madison Mueller and Lydia Studer each contributed hits to the Jayhawks’ performance.

Nicollet starting pitcher Halle Johnson allowed six runs — five earned — on eight hits, struck out six and walked two in four frames to net the win.

Madelia/Truman starting pitcher Courtney Davis gave up five runs — three earned — on four hits, walked six and struck out two in 3 2/3 innings to take the loss.

Madelia/Truman (4-14, 1-6 Valley) plays host to conference opponent Martin County West at 4:30 p.m. Thursday in Madelia.