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Softball picks up another conference winThe Vikings softball squad continues to nip at the heels of conference-leading Chisago Lakes as they head into the last week of games. North Branch picked up another conference win with a big 12-1 win against Princeton May 9, before falling to Centennial 4-1 in a non-conference game. The Princeton win keeps the Vikes in second place in the Rum River Conference, with a pivotal game against first place Chisago Lakes coming this Thursday. The game was originally scheduled for May 7, but was rained out. The Vikes came ready to play, notching three runs in each of the first three innings against the Tigers. Singles in the first came from the bats of Errin Koehler, Traci Reimann, Kate Sykes and Christina Sampson. Lisa Weinhold opened the second with a double, followed by singles from Reimann and Sarah Rauen. In the third, Sampson, Weinhold and Sykes singled and Rauen doubled for the three runs. Jamie Schlagel picked up the win, combining with Brooke Beaver for a two-hitter. Leading the offense, Reimann went 4 for 5 with 2 RBI, Rauen was 3 for 5 with 4 RBI and Sykes was 3 for 5 with 3 RBI. ìIt was a big conference win to keep us within a game of Chisago Lakes,î head coach Larry Brodin said. ìBut we have to play Chisago Thursday and take care of Sauk on Tuesday. Both games being at home makes it interesting.î The squad picked up its only run in the first in a 4-1 loss to state-ranked Centennial, off of a single from Reimann and double from Rauen. Centennial answered with two in the inning, and two more in the sixth. Schlagel pitched for the Vikes, giving up only five hits and striking out six. Rauen led the offense with 2 hits and an RBI. The team winds up the regular season with a trio of games this week, scheduled to take on Sauk Rapids Tuesday, Chisago Lakes Thursday and Elk River Friday. Section play begins Tuesday, May 21. ©ECM Post Review |