By Steve Morris

In the span of two games, the North Branch Vikings softball team went from a shutout to a blowout.

First the girls shutout St. Francis behind the arm of senior Tiffany Good. The senior scattered seven hits while striking out seven and walking four. She also pitched her way out of some compromising positions with runners in scoring positions. Head coach Ron Trunk said Good was aided by outstanding defense.

"Timely hitting and great defense was the difference in this game," Trunk said. "Good pitched a great game."

North Branch ended the game with three hits and one error.

Maggie Johnson, Megan Aho, and Megan Ranger all collected hits for the Vikings. Kayla Obitz had the team's only double.

After the St. Francis game, things got a little ugly as the girls took a 13-1 loss to rival Chisago Lakes April 19.

The girls were out hit 18 to six.

Chisago Lakes managed two runs in both the second and first innings, added single runs in the fifth and sixth before blowing the game wide open with seven runs in the final inning.

North Branch did manage to load the bases with no outs but were unable to plate any runs.

Senior Danni Sonnenfeld went 2 for 3 on the day. Johnson, Ranger and Orbiz each collected singles in the loss and Aho hit a triple.

Good took the loss for the Vikings on the mound, giving up four runs on seven hits on three innings pitched.

"You have to tip your hat to Chisago Lakes, they played better in all areas of the game; hitting, fielding and pitching. We need to forget this game and move on," Trunk said.