Knights soar over Hawks in 180-flip
By Ginna Young
Hindered by a couple key injuries, Cornell-Lake Holcombe’s softball program had a rocky couple games, but turned it around by the third and final match-up of the week.
April 9 vs. Northwood-Solon Springs conference (L 14-5)
It was off to face the Eagles in the first game of the week, but having to move girls around to positions they havn’t played, because of injury, didn’t go well in the Knights’ favor.
“Losing two all conference players is detrimental to a small school district team,” said coach Andy Lorenzen. “We struggled in the first few innings vs. Northwoods-Solon Springs defensively, giving them several unearned runs.”
However, Lorenzen says senior hurler Brooke Anderson has been a rock on the mound.
“She accounted for the first 11 outs of the game,” he said. “We slowly started to settle in and mounted a comeback against the best team in the conference.”
Depsite the burst of offense late in the game, the match went to the Eagles, 14-5.
Junior Bralee Schroeder finished the day with 2 hits. Coming up with a hit each, were Anderson, seniors Allie Turany and Grace Harycki, sophomore, and freshmen Michelle Butler and Kyleigh Mercer.
Anderson gave up 8 hits and 7 runs, while striking out eight, in six innings pitched.
“We will continue to find our identity defensively and I look for our seniors to remain consistent,” said Lorenzen, “while the new faces or girls in different positions adjust.”
April 11 vs. Prairie Farm conference (L 11-1)
Two days later, the Knights hosted Prairie Farm, but little went the way of the home team.
“This game was a night where everything that could go wrong, did,” said Lorenzen. “We were unable to make the routine plays, Prairie Farm had a lot of things go right for them by putting the ball in play. We were unable to string anything together on offense.”
The Panthers added 11 runs to the score, while the Knights could only come up with one run.
“The score doesn’t reflect how good our team can be,” said Lorenzen. “We have a ton of room for growth and improvement, and I feel the score will be different the next
time we play them.”
April 12 vs. Owen-Withee non-conference (W 13-1)
With no time to rest, the Knights were in action the next day, hosting Owen-Withee.
“We were able to do a 180-flip from Thursday night,” said Lorenzen. “We made all the routine plays and had a lot of productive at-bats, at the plate. Scoring five runs in the first inning helped relieve some of the pressure on the girls and they were able to play loose the rest of the game.”
Anderson trusted her defense to pitch five innings, allowing only 5 hits and a run, to give the Knights a 13-1 victory.
Offensively, the newcomer Butler was able to provide a spark, by leading off and getting on base, all four at-bats, notching 2 hits to her credit. Senior Mahli Wilson and junior Richelle Raether also got 2 hits on the night, while Schroeder and Anderson each added 1.
“We will look to improve every game and keep moving forward as the season progresses,” said Lorenzen.
