By Nick Beversdorf
Reporter
It has been an interesting past week for Hatchet varsity softball. Out of the five games they played, four were shutouts and out of those four, with three of them victories and one a was a loss.
It started last Monday (May 9th) with a doubleheader against Wausau East. The game was a shutout victory for Tomahawk. The final score was 15-0 with Tomahawk mustering 12 hits and committing no errors. The Hatchets scored three runs in the first, three more in the second, six in the third and thee in the fourth before the game was called.
Taylor Shilts lead the offensive effort with two hits, two runs, a home run, a stolen base and three RBIs. Other top hitters include Alex Bellile (2H, 4R, 1RBI, 2SB, 1BB), Rachel Dallman (2H, 1R, 2RBI, 1SB) and Brianna Oenning (2H, 1R, 1SB, 6RBI). Dallman pitched the whole game, striking out eight, walking two, allowing one hit and no runs.
The second game against East turned out much differently. Although Tomahawk got the advantage right away with a run in the first, East managed a run in the third, tying up the game. Come sixth inning, East got into a groove and rallied for five runs. Tomahawk would not be able to put any runs up in the seventh to tie or win the game.
Bellile was the only scorer for the Hatchets, scoring just one run. Top hitters include Oenning with one hit and Holley Winker with one hit and a double. Theiler pitched the game, striking out five, walking four, allowing five hits and six runs-five earned.
“Second game of the doubleheader was a real tight ball game going into the sixth inning,” comments head coach John Larson. “In this game the Hatchet bats were silent, just two of the night. We need to do a better job of adjusting to each pitcher we see. We also need to go into every game wanting to rip the cover off the ball. Defensively, we played well enough to win. The difference in this one was offensive production; we did not get it done.”
Sloppy win over Northland Pines
The next day (May 10th) the Hatchets faced off against Northland Pines, winning with a final score of 10-0, generating four hits and committing four errors.
Tomahawk scored three runs in both the first and second innings, two runs in the third and two more runs in the fifth. Top hitters include Oenning (2H, 1RBI, double), Theiler (1H, 2R, 2RBIs, double) and Jordyn Kaminski (1H, 1R).Dallman pitched a two-hitter, striking out 14, walking two, allowing two hits and no runs.
“It was a nice GNC win but it was a sloppy win,” adds Larson. “We need to play at our level and not the opponents. We were fortunate to survive against a team that is struggling. Offensively and defensively we were stagnant! Our effort and focus needs to be better.”
Shutout loss to Rhinelander
The tables turned on Tomahawk as the Hatchets fell victim to a 9-0 shutout loss to Rhinelander. Tomahawk could only muster two hits while committing four errors.
Bellile and Dallman were the only two players to get any hits. Dallman pitched the whole game, striking out three, walking one, allowing nine hits and nine runs-seven earned.
“Tonight our effort was much better. We made some defensive mistakes, but they were aggressive hustle errors. Tight game going into the fifth with a Hodag 2-0 advantage. There were a couple errors combined with some big hits by the Hodags which would increase that lead and put it out of reach. We never really got anything going. We need to get better at being a consistent offensive team.”
Shutout win over Lakeland
Friday’s game saw the Hatchets come back with a 16-0 shutout win over Lakeland. Tomahawk was able to generate a whopping 21 hits without committing any errors.
The Hatchets consistently hit the ball and scored runs throughout the five inning game. They scored five runs in both the first and second innings, four runs in the third and two more in the fifth.
Top hitters include Bellile (4H, 2R, 2RBIs, double), Katy Volz (3H, 2R, 1RBI, 1SB, 1BB), Mikhayla Kleich (2H, 3R, 4RBIs, 2 doubles), Shilts (2H, 3R, 1SB, 2BB), Kaminski (2H, 1R, 1RBI, 1BB), Theiler (2H, 2R, 3RBI, double), Oenning (2H, 1R, 1RBI) and Danielle Kurth (2H, 1R). Dallman pitched a no-hitter, striking out eight and walking three with no runs.
“This was the best all-around game of the season. We did it on the road. We got a season high of 21 hits, led by Bellile’s 4-6 performance. Every Hatchet in the lineup collected at least one hit. Kleich would lead the Hatchets in extra base hits with two doubles and four RBIs. We also played error-free defense. We didn’t have to make a lot of plays due to Dallman’s performance on the mound. Rachel would strike out eight and turn in her first no-hitter of her career.”
“It was an outstanding effort by the Hatchets, a great way to end a long week. Overall it was a solid week going 3-2 with three shutout wins.”