By Nick Beversdorf
Reporter
Bluejay varsity softball defeated Rapids Thursday (May 19) with a final score of 14-5 with Merrill making 12 hits and committing three errors. Although Rapids made some good hits, they made many errors that compounded their problems, allowing Merrill to score repeatedly.
The first inning set the tone of the game for both teams. Merrill acquired five runs right off the bat, starting with Maddix Bonnell. After she advanced to second and then third on errors, she was batted in by Leonna Ives’ fly to right. Later, Chelsey LaMonica would score a run off Kelsie Belfiori’s fly to left, and Belfiori would reach on another error.
Madisen Weix, after tagging up on third, would score a run off Cassndra Casper’s line drive to right and soon after Taylor Krueger would bat in both Cassandra Casper and Belfiori with a line drive to left. Rapids would only score one run in the bottom of the first.
Top of the second would see three more runs from the Bluejays, starting with LaMonica batting in both Ives and Bonnell with a fly to right. They would round off the top of the inning with Madisen Weix scoring off of Cassandra Casper’s fly to left.
Bottom of the second would be Rapids’ most successful inning, hitting two home runs. But again, Merrill would respond in earnest with four more runs in the third, starting with Molly Weix scoring off LaMonica’s hard grounder to third. After that Calli Oberg hit a popup that was erred by Rapids, allowing her to reach first, and later second, while Ives and Bonnell scored. Madisen Weix later would score off a Belfiori shot to center.
Rapids would score their last two runs in the bottom of the fifth while Merrill would score two more runs right after. At the top of the sixth with two outs, Calle Johnson would bat in both Lindsey Casper and Belfiori with a line drive to center.
Krueger had a great day at the plate as well as pitching. She had three hits and two RBIs, while striking out six, walking two, allowing 12 hits and five runs-four earned. Other players who made an offensive impact include Ives (2H, 2R, 1BB), Belfiori (2H, 2R, 1RBI, double), LaMonica (1H, 1R, 3RBI, double), Lindsey casper (2R, 1BB, 1SB), Bonnell (1H, 3R, 2BB, 1SB), Johnson (1H, 2RBI, double), Cassandra Casper (1H, 2RBI, double), Madisen Weix (3R) and Molly Weix (1R).
Fielding was lead by LaMonica with eight putouts and an assist. Others fielders include Oberg (6PO), Belfiori (2PO, 1A), Ives (2PO), Lindsey Casper (1PO, 1A), Bonnell (4A) and both Cassandra Casper and Emily Travis with a putout.
Bluejay varsity softball will end the regular season today (May 20) with a game against Medford at 4:30 p.m. at the MARC. They will then have their first playoff game against Northland Pines on Tuesday, May 24 at 5 p.m. at the MARC.
Stats provided by GameChanger.