CHEROKEE — The Estherville Lincoln Central softball team opened up the Lakes Conference season with a 12-5 win over Cherokee on Tuesday.

The defending Lakes Conference champs started simply enough as leadoff better Erin Beardsley drew a walk.. That was followed by a sacrifice bunt by Amanda Christensen and singles by Kristi Juergens, Christa Clayton and Melanie Bandow as ELC jumped out to a 3-0 lead.

The Midgettes only led 4-2 when they put together a big four-run fourth inning and added three more in the fifth.

ELC pounded out 14 hits led by Juergens who was 3-3 and Clayton who was 3-4. Both players had a double. Jordan Jacobson was 2-4 with a double and Melanie Bandow was 2-3.

Christensen picked up the win on the mound as she struck out five batters and walked one.

ELC (3-1, 1-0) hosts Spirit Lake tonight. Varsity starts at 4:45 p.m.

In junior varsity play, ELC won 11-4 over Cherokee.

ELC 311 430 0 -12 14 n

Cherokee 110 030 0 – 5 10 n

ELC – Christensen (WP) and Juergens. Cherokee – Dreske (LP) and Peterson.