With his team alone at the bottom of the North Suburban Conference standings the past two seasons, Columbia Heights softball coach Terry Olson has encouraged his girls to use those tough lessons to their benefit in the playoffs.

This spring, the payoff came sooner as Columbia Heights stopped a 33-game losing streak against North Suburban Conference teams with a 6-0 victory over Fridley last Friday.

Senior pitcher Bekka Kelly earned the victory with a two-hit shutout but she received plenty of help. The Hylanders defense made no errors and the offense produced 13 hits.

Making only her second career varsity start, senior Lita Marie Two Bears gave her team a 2-0 lead with a two-out, two-RBI single. She finished 3-for-4 with three RBI and a run scored, one of four Hylanders with at least two hits.

Seventh-grader Monica Rice, who leads the team with a .400 batting average, went 2-for-4 with one RBI and one run scored.

Last season the Hylanders upset Minneapolis Washburn in the Class 1A, Section 4 playoffs, one of their three victories all season.  Olson expects more regular season success to come.

“We have a pretty young team that I think is turning the corner,” Olson said. “This won’t be our last win.”