Friday was a day to cheer for followers of the MACA softball Tigers. It was an afternoon of non-conference diamond action.
Coach Mary Holmberg's Tigers kept their record unblemished with a
nifty 8-2 win in front of the home fans. The Tigers' line score in this
April 20 showcase was eight runs, eleven hits and two errors. The
Marshall Tigers posted 2-2-2 numbers.
It was truly an afternoon for the MACA Tigers to roar.
The first two innings were scoreless after which the MACA engines
started humming. First there was a one-run rally in the third. Then, a
big four-run fourth. And after that: two runs in the fifth and one in
the sixth.
Again, McKenzie VanBatavia had an instrumental role. (This is the
spelling I will now opt for, after seeing her name in the Morris Area
honor roll. I had seen it spelled differently in some other credible
places. I sent an email to coach Holmberg regarding this but she didn't
answer.)
McKenzie had things totally under control from the pitching rubber through six innings. She flirted with a perfect game.
Marshall was finally able to tee off a little vs. her in the
seventh. That's when Marshall pushed its two runs home, but no way would
Marshall summon enough momentum to come from behind. The Marshall bats
did produce a double and triple in the seventh.
Marshall came out of the day still seeking its first win.
VanBatavia was a force offensively with a hit and two RBIs. Tracy
Meichsner was likewise a major force, going three-for-four with two RBIs
and four stolen bases. Her two-run single provided key spark in the
fourth inning rally.
Sadie Fischer was aggressive at the plate and went three-for-three
with two RBIs. Holly Amundson had two hits in four at-bats and drove in a
run.
Steph Hennen went one-for-three and Jaimie Bergerson one-for-four.
On to pitching: Here, VanBatavia was only slightly nicked by the
seventh inning, and picked up the win with a seven-strikeout
performance. She walked zero.
Her pitching rivals were Miranda Fischer (the loser) and Callie Graff.
Tigers 10, Benson-Hancock 1
The run total of ten looks impressive from MACA's Thursday softball
action at home. Another stat that might be deemed just as significant
was the zero errors.
Indeed the MACA Tigers played an all-around game to delight the
home fans. This game ended in a 10-1 triumph for coach Holmberg's orange
and black squad. It was a WCC-South game that had rival Benson-Hancock
as the opponent. The MACA line score was ten runs, nine hits and no
errors. B-H had a 1-9-4 line.
McKenzie VanBatavia had her typical important pitching role. She
struck out nine Brave-Owl batters while walking just one. She scattered
eight hits. She allowed the one earned run.
On this day the ace was spelled for one inning. The ball was handed
to Brianna Abril who pitched a solid frame, fanning a batter, walking
none and giving up one hit.
The Benson-Hancock pitching duties were divided between Kayla
Jones, who was tagged with the loss, and Kendra Schmidgall. Jones
pitched five innings and couldn't cool the Tiger bats. The Tigers
achieved nine hits and drew three walks vs. Jones.
Schmidgall allowed no hits in her one inning, but MACA was able to
push across an unearned run. Schmidgall was hurt by some wildness.
Benson-Hancock wasn't able to push across a run until the sixth.
The Tigers got busy scoring in the second inning with three runs
and went on to add one in the third, five in the fifth and one in the
sixth.
Steph Hennen zeroed in on the B-H pitching to go three-for-three. Brooke Wente picked up two RBIs as part of going one-for-two.
Jaimie Bergerson joined Hennen with multiple hits, fashioning two-for-four numbers.
Other Tigers hitting safely were Sadie Fischer, Holly Amundson and Brooke Johnson.
The Brave Owls had three in their ranks posting a multiple-hit
game. They just couldn't parlay this into much run-scoring. McKenzie
Jensen, Kendra Schmidgall and Alissa Hughes each had two hits.
Brave Owls with one hit each were Kayla Jones, Jenna Hanson and Abby Tollefson.
Baseball: Benson 5, Tigers 2
The MACA baseball Tigers succumbed to a big inning by Benson, the fourth, Thursday (4/19) at Benson.
The Braves plated four runs in that rally, lifted especially by a
timely and decisive blast off Morgan Staton's bat. Staton sent a drive
down the left field line. It was like a dagger for the Tigers, who were
trying to work out of a bases-loaded situation.
That rally began with Brady McDonald and Tyler Krienke singling. They were joined on the basepaths by the walking Matt Ahrndt.
Staton's blast cleared the bases and he ended up at second. He then
arrived at third thanks to a Tanner Mikkelson sacrifice fly. He crossed
home plate, firming up Benson's lead, on Anthony Berreau's single.
The damage had been done from MACA's standpoint. Benson won in the 5-2 final.
The Tigers scored one run each in the third and fifth innings.
Tanner Picht picked up the RBI for each of these, singling each time.
Mac Beyer pitched four innings and was tagged with the loss. He
gave up five hits and five runs (all earned) while striking out one and
walking three.
Jake Torgerson succeeded Beyer on the hill. He allowed one hit and no runs, fanned three batters and walked none.
Beyer and Torgerson were up against Luke Schwarz in the pitching
department. Schwarz did a workmanlike job, pitching a complete game,
fanning four batters and walking three. He gave up six hits and two runs
(earned).
Picht finished two-for-four with those two RBIs. Tom Holland rapped
two hits in four at-bats. Beyer and Lincoln Berget each enjoyed a
one-for-three afternoon.
Staton with his three RBIs stood out in Benson's boxscore. Krienke
rapped two hits in three at-bats. Berreau stole two bases on his
one-for-three afternoon with two RBIs. Brady McDonald and Luke Schwarz
both went one-for-three.
The line scores were as follows: Benson 5-6-1 (runs-hits-errors), Morris Area Chokio Alberta 2-6-1.
The Tigers came out of the day at 1-3, searching for some momentum.
- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com
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