Softball Recaps April 25-May 1

Below are summaries of local softball games between April 25-May 1, compiled by Sports Editor Nick Tabatt.

Pioneers win three in a row

The Pierz Pioneers softball team continued to excel after beating Sauk Centre 13-3 Tuesday, April 29. The Pioneers’ Britney Schommer threw four strikeouts on the mound and allowed two runners to walk.

Liz Gross was 4-4 at the plate with one run and had two runners batted in. Kenna Otte was 3-3 and also had two runners batted in. Kendra Melby hit her 23rd double hit of her career, which is also a new school record.

The Pioneers also played against Pequot Lakes in a double header Thursday, April 25. They won the first game 6-3. Schommer had five strikeouts and walked three. Gross earned three runs and stole two bases.

The Pioneers also won the second game 10-0. Erin Thesing pitched, throwing five strikeouts for the team. Gross earned two runs and Kendra Melby earned an RBI along with a three-base hit.

Bulldogs sweep Osakis and LPGE

The Swanville Bulldogs dominated Osakis Thursday, April 25. The Bulldogs won the game 19-3 in four innings. Addison Hudalla and Kennedee Chuba each had five runners batted in, followed by Reese Jackson with four. During the four innings played, Chuba threw seven strikeouts on the mound with three errors. As a team, the Bulldogs had 18 hits and 17 RBIs.

The Bulldogs defeated Long Prairie-Grey Eagle 15-9 Tuesday, April 30. Chuba threw 10 strikeouts on the mound and five errors. Addison Hudalla had two runners batted in and three runs.

Royals struggle against ACGC

The Royalton Royals softball team took on Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City Thursday, April 25. The Royals started out strong, winning the first game 15-6. ACGC came back and answered in the second game, winning 13-1. Head Coach Kelly Gotfredson said the second game didn’t go as planned even after making substitutions on the field.

“Bats pretty much went silent,” said Gotfredson. “The girls also were fighting very high winds for both games.”

The Royals hosted Paynesville in another double header, Friday, May 3. They will also host Kimball Area Tuesday, May 7.

Cardinals continue to win with effective pitching and hitting

The Upsala Cardinals maintained a demanding lead over Browerville Tuesday, April 30, Winning 8-2.The Cardinals’ A Maciej was one of the hard hitters at the plate, with two hits and two runs. Isabel Ripplinger earned one run, one hit and three runs batted in. Isabelle Leners pitched in all seven innings, throwing eight strikeouts and two errors. The Cardinals had 12 hits while Browerville had five.

The Cardinals also had a bigger victory over Long Prairie-Grey Eagle Tuesday, April 25. The Cardinals won 13-3. McKenna Graves led the team with one run, two hits and four runners batted in. Four Cardinals runners scored two runs each for the team: Brenna Graves, Sierra Bense, Zoey Leners and Hailie Luedke. This time, Leners threw 14 strikeouts on the mound and two errors. The Cardinals had 12 hits and two errors while Long Prairie-Grey Eagle had six errors and seven hits.

The Cardinals also took on Osakis in a double header Wednesday, May 1. They won the first game 8-2, with Macy Graves earning two hits and four and having four runs batted in. Isabel Leners pitched with five strikeouts and no errors.

The Cardinals won the second game 15-0 in a four-inning game. This time, Avery Maciej led the team at the plate with one run, two hits, and four runs batted in. Leners threw seven strikeouts, no errors and walked one batter.