Mankato East scored three times in the bottom of the first inning and put it into cruise control from there en route to a 9-1 victory over Zumbrota-Mazeppa in the Class 2A quarterfinals.
Leadoff hitter Karli DesLauriers went 3-for-3 with a pair of RBI and two runs scored to lead the Cougars. E.J. Scharmer was also perfect at the plate, going 3-for-3 with three RBI. Nicole Reis pitched the first six innings of the game, fanning 12 and walking none.
Megan Nelson and Carley Henning split the load for Zumbrota-Mazeppa, but combined to strike out only two batters while walking five.