Knights soar over Falcons, get shaded by Evergreens

Things are getting tough in the conference, as the season ramps up for the Cornell-Lake Holcombe softball squad, with the team suffering their first league loss this year.

May 11 vs. Flambeau conference (W 11-1)

The Knights came to play, hosting conference rival Flambeau on the Lake Holcombe field, but the offense wasn’t there for the home team – at first.

“It took us a while to get the bats going,” said coach Andy Lorenzen. “Teara Spaeth and Grace Harycki had two huge hits with the bases loaded, to break the game open.”

Once the Knights scored big, it was no holds barred and the Falcons couldn’t come back from the onslaught. The Knights took the game, 11-1.

Senior Izzy Clark pitched six innings for the Knights, only giving up 2 hits and striking out 13.

On the offensive side, Clark added a double, ending with 2 hits and 1 run batted in (RBI), while senior Michaiah Galster also had 2 hits and 1 RBI. The junior Spaeth and freshman Harycki each knocked in a triple, coming up with 3 RBIs each.

Senior Alyssa Helland, Galster and Spaeth were all walked twice in the game. Harycki, senior Kaitlyn Heinzen, sophomore Rachel Schilling and junior Jayda Turchen, each walked twice.

May 13 vs. Northwood-Solon Springs conference (L 4-2)

Two days later, the Knights were in an away game against Northwood-Solon Springs, with the visitors taking control of the game 2-1, all the way into the sixth inning.

“Momentum swung in their favor, and we had several mental and physical mistakes in a row, and they capitalized,” said Lorenzen. “Northwood-Solon Springs was the best, well-rounded team we have played so far. We hit the ball hard, right at people, while their hitters were able to find holes.”

The Evergreens took the lead and finished out the game, 4-2, handing the Knights their first conference loss of the season. The Knights’ record now sits at 7-3 overall and 4-1 in the East Lakeland Conference.

“We need to continue to improve the second half of the season,” said Lorenzen. “Two out of our three losses have been to state-ranked opponents.”

Clark took the loss for the Knights, going six innings, giving up 4 hits and a walk, while striking out 9. She also came away with 2 hits on the offensive side. Schilling, Heinzen and Galster each recorded a hit, while sophomore Hannah Wincek added a run, as did Harycki.

Harycki also walked twice and Heinzen ended with 1 walk.

“We have a lot of room to improve and hope to make a playoff run,” said Lorenzen.