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Softball threatens for conference lead with pair of winsThe Vikings varsity softball squad has its eye on first place in the Rum River Conference after recording a pair of conference wins last week, before going 1-2 at the Park-Cottage Grove Tournament Saturday. The Vikes downed Pine City 8-2 April 30 on the road. The Dragons picked up their only two runs in the first inning, off of two North Branch errors. The Vikings rallied to score five in the second, led by singles from sophomore Lisa Weinhold, junior Nikki Scaramell and junior Traci Reimann and a double from junior Sarah Rauen. The team picked up two more runs in the fourth and a final run in the fifth for the 8-2 win. Senior Errin Koehler singled to start the fourth, and was driven in on a triple from senior Kate Sykes. Sykes then scored on a sacrifice from Rauen. In the fifth, junior Heather Peterson singled, and eventually came in to steal home for the score. Senior Jamie Schlagel picked up the win, recording nine strike outs and giving up only three hits. A tough Milaca team was no match for the Vikings May 2, as North Branch shutout the Wolves 4-0. The Vikes came ready to play, starting the first with a single from Reimann, who scored after Sykes doubled and Rauen singled. Neither team was able to score until North Branch increased its lead with another run in the fifth, coming off a single from junior Chrissy Sampson who later scored on a double from Reimann. Two more Vikings runs sealed the win in the seventh, as Koehler picked up a single, and Reimann and Weinhold each added a double. For the game, Reimann went 3 for 4 including two doubles. Rauen and Weinhold picked up two hits apiece. Schlagel recorded the win, striking out four. In the weekend tourney, the Vikes lost to Bloomington Jefferson in the first game of the day, 2-1, then came back to defeat Prescott 13-2 before falling to Woodbury 10-5. Costly errors meant everything in the Bloomington game, as both of their runs were attributed to North Branch errors. The Vikes threatened in the seventh, but were only able to come up with one run. Peterson reached on a triple and was driven home on a single from Weinhold. Scaramell doubled, but was left stranded on two consecutive outs. The Vikes tallied 12 hits in a 13-2, six inning win over Prescott. Schlagel went 3 for 3 with three singles, and Reimann was 3 for 4 including a homerun. Also picking up two hits were Sykes, Koehler and Peterson. Junior Brooke Beaver pitched for North Branch, striking out four and allowing four hits. North Branch fell behind 6-2 after two innings in a 10-5 loss to Woodbury to end the tournament. They came back with runs in the third, fifth and seventh innings, but also allowed four more Woodbury runs. The Vikes collected eight hits, including a solo homer from junior Alison Trampe. Schlagel pitched in the loss, striking out four and walking two. ěThis was a good tournament for us against some tough competition,î head coach Larry Brodin said. ěThe team played well and it should help us in the games down the road and into section play.î The team winds down its final two weeks of play with games this week against Chisago Lakes, Princeton and Centennial. ©ECM Post Review |