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Softball team rejoices in win |
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By Steve Morris
The North Branch softball team has a reason to celebrate. After a rocky start to the season, the Vikings entered the win column with a strong showing against the North Suburban Conference Robbinsdale Cooper Hawks.
On April 22, the girls defeated the Hawks 5-2 on the road in New Hope. Senior Steph Saxe was brilliant on the mound and on the plate. At one point, she retired seven of eight batters. She pitched the complete game, giving up three hits while striking out 10 and walking three. She also retired the side in the second inning.
“Steph was really dominated early in the game," head coach Ron Trunk said.
North Branch opened up the scoring in the top of the first. Alyssa Peterson reached on a one-out single, stole second base and was driven home by a two-out single by Saxe. The Vikings added two more runs in the fourth with a two-out rally. Karissa Wilson, Kayla Merschdoff and Lauren LaRue each singled to load the bases for Peterson who delivered a clutch single to drive in three runs. The Vikings added some insurance runs before the game was finished.
The Vikings tallied five runs on 13 hits and had one error. The Hawks scored two runs on three hits and two errors. It was the Vikings first conference win of the season.
Leading the way for the Viking's offense was Peterson, going 3 for 4 with 3 RBIs and two runs scored. Saxe ended 3 for 4 with an RBI.
Trunk hopes the win gives the girls confidence to pick up some wins.
“It was nice to tally a win and hopefully this will spring board us into a good week,” Trunk said.
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