Big fifth lifts Indees over Norse in softball opener
Independence/Gilmanton’s Nora Schank flipped to second for an out during their game against Whitehall on Thursday. (Times photograph by Andrew Dannehy)
Whitehall second baseman Harlow Foss threw to first in an attempt to get a double play during their game against Independence/Gilmanton on Thursday. (Times photograph by Andrew Dannehy)
The teams were tied through four before Independence/Gilmanton exploded for nine runs in the fifth inning of a 15-5 season opening win in Whitehall last Thursday.
The Norse jumped out to a lead with three runs in the bottom of the first inning, but the Indees chipped away. I/G took the lead with a three-run fourth, but Whitehall tied the game again in the bottom half of the inning.
It was all I/G from there.
The Indees retook the lead on an error and scored two more runs on walks with the bases loaded. The first seven I/G batters of the inning walked before Emma Cowen hit into an error that scored two runs to give I/G a 10-5 advantage. Two runs scored on passed balls before Kylynn Kennedy doubled to put I/G ahead 14-5.
I/G went ahead by 10 runs in the sixth when Nora Schank singled and scored on a ground out.
The Norse got the leadoff batter on base in the bottom of the sixth, but the game ended by rule when I/G got the next three batters out.
I/G took an early lead when Schank scored on a groundout in the top of the first.
The first three Whitehall batters all reached base before Kyla Lambeck walked to bring the tying run home. Olivia Killian singled to bring in a run and put Whitehall ahead then Carson Coburn hit into a fielder’s choice to make the score 3-1.
Adison Pronschinske doubled to start the third for I/G and scored on a groundout hit by Kassidi Dejno. Whitehall got that run back in the bottom half as Taylor Johnson led off with a double and scored on a groundout by Lambeck.
I/G took the lead on a two-run double by Cowen in the top of the fourth. Whitehall tied the game on a Harlow Foss single in the bottom half.
Whitehall had no answer when the Indees put up nine runs in the next frame, however.
The Indees had seven hits in the game, two by Kennedy. Cowen and Arabelle Kniseley both had one hit and three RBIs.
Johnson had two of Whitehall’s six hits while Lambeck batted in two runs.
Ashlyn Clatt took the loss for the Norse, pitching into the fifth inning with four hits and 10 walks allowed, while striking out four. Addison Poeschel finished the game, striking out three with four walks and three hits allowed.
If the weather cooperates, the Indees will play at home against Eau Claire Immanuel Lutheran this coming Tuesday and against Cochrane-Fountain City next Thursday. Whitehall is scheduled to host Osseo-Fairchild on Thursday and Alma/Pepin next week Friday.
