RC softball takes second in Ogilvie tournament

Last weekend, the Rush City softball squad travelled to take part in the annual Ogilvie tournament as it has for several years. This year, the Tigers narrowly missed bringing home the championship trophy as the team fell in the title game to Ogilvie.
The Tigers defeated Eden Valley Watkins and West Lutheran to advance to the title game against Ogilvie Saturday, May 3.
In the first game, Rush City downed Watkins 10-8. Meghan OíShea scored the first run of the game in the top of the first, reaching first on a passed ball and later scoring on another passed ball.
Watkins countered with 2 runs in the bottom of the inning, but Rush City added 2 more in the second as Jess Prettner scored on a triple from Sandy Johnson, who then scored on a single from Brittany Wendorf.
Watkins picked up 3 runs in the bottom of the second to take over the lead at 5-3.
The Tigers came back in the same inning with 2 runs, starting with a walk to Holly Grimes, a home run from Johnson and a triple from Wendorf to tie the game at 5-5.
Rush City went on to add 2 more in the fifth and 3 in the seventh on a home run from Prettner, a triple from Samantha Saxton and a single from Page Rieland for the 10-8 win.
Johnson had possibly her best game of her career thus far, hitting a double, triple and home run and earning 3 RBI. Prettnerís home run scored 3 runs as well.
Rieland also had a strong day pitching, recording 11 strikeouts ñ her highest total of the year, while picking up her sixth win of the season.
ìIt was an unusual game with the last four batters in our lineup getting 9 of our 10 hits,î Head Coach Rick Kosloski said. ìAlso 6 of our 10 hits were for extra bases.î
West Lutheran held the Rush City bats to a quieter level, but the Tigers were able to come up with timely hits and a solid defense for a 4-1 win in the second round.
Breann Stottler led off the game by reaching on a walk and stealing second. She eventually scored on a single from Mindy Scott.
West Lutheran picked up its lone run in the third inning, but was quickly answered as OíShea scored on a walk, a wild pitch and a single from Prettner. The 2-1 lead remained until the fifth inning when Rush City picked up its final 2 runs.
In the inning, Grimes and Prettner scored on Johnsonís hard drive that was misplayed in right field, giving the Tigers the win and advancing the team to the championship game.
ìThis was our best game of the tournament, with our defense have no errors plus some timely hits and bunts,î Kosloski said. ìIt was a great game for the players and coaches to be a part of.î
In the final game, Rush City faced host Ogilvie with the title on the line. The Lions came out on the winning end of an 8-3 game.
Ogilvie took control early, scoring 2 in the first, 1 in the second and 4 in the third for a commanding 7-0 lead. Rush City tallied its first run in the fourth with back-to-back singles from Prettner and Johnson. They scored on a sacrifice from Nicole Meis and an error.
Stottler hit a solo home run in the fifth for another Rush City run, but it would not be enough to close the gap.
Shannon Karvonen and Rieland shared the pitching duties. Grimes played three strong games as catcher for Rush City in the tournament.
ìThe coaches are very proud of the team for their second place finish and winning individual medals for their efforts in the tournament,î Kosloski said.

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