Shorthanded Raiders drop two in CC play

Down a couple of starters, the Arcadia softball team struggled offensively in two Coulee Conference losses last week.

The Raiders had chances in both games, but couldn’t get bit hits or outs when needed. They had the tying run on base in the bottom of the seventh against West Salem, but lost 3-1. They trailed by one late against Black River Falls on Thursday, but the Tigers exploded late for an 11-3 win.

The losses put Arcadia at 0-4 overall and 0-2 in conference play. They hosted Luther on Monday of this week before welcoming Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau on Tuesday and facing Luther for a second time in five days on Friday when they go to Onalaska. 

This coming Monday Viroqua will come to Arcadia for a doubleheader then Arcadia hosts BRF next Tuesday, heads to West Salem on Friday and hosts a tournament with Elk Mound and Blair-Taylor on Saturday. 

W. Salem 3 Arcadia 1

The Raiders threatened late, but couldn’t get what they needed offensively.

Arcadia took a lead in the fourth inning as Kaitlyn Bremer singled and scored on a single by Courtney Bjorge. 

Bjorge got the start in the circle and kept West Salem in check for most of the game, striking out 12 with one walk and six hits allowed. It wasn’t until the top of the fifth that the Panthers finally got to her with two doubles and a single that put them ahead 2-1. West Salem added another run of of a single and a double in the seventh.

The Raiders had a chance with runners on first and second in the bottom of the seventh, but a strikeout ended the game.

“Court pitched a great game and we played pretty good defense, we just couldn’t get anything going offensively,” coach Dave Bjorge said. 

Arcadia managed just three hits in the game. 

BR Falls 11 Arcadia 3

The Raiders fell behind early and couldn’t catch up.

Coach Bjorge said his team got some big hits, but struggled defensively as eight of the runs allowed were unearned.

The Tigers scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Arcadia responded with one in the second as Maggie Kujak led off with a double and scored on an error. BRF responded with two in the bottom of the third.

A two-run single by Courtney Bjorge put the Raiders in business as Brynn Aspen and Bremer scored, making the score 4-3.

That’s as close as Arcadia would get. The Tigers responded with six runs in the bottom of the sixth then added another in the sixth.

Bjorge took the loss, pitching the first four innings with four hits and one walk allowed while striking out two. Bremer took over from there, allowing three walks and three hits as she struck out one.

Catherine Pehler led the Raiders with two hits as the team had six.