Merrill softball sweeps three opponents, fueled by Herdt’s no-hitter and a three-homer inning

Merrill softball edges West Salem 11-6 in Portage opener
The Merrill Varsity Softball team opened tournament play at Portage High School on Saturday, April 18, with an 11-6 victory over West Salem.
Merrill got on the board in the second inning when Reese Kaminski and Madee Barker each singled down the right field line to score a run apiece. Abbie Krueger added another in the third with a single down the left field line after a six-pitch at-bat.
Krueger earned the win in the circle, surrendering six hits over 5 2/3 innings with two strikeouts and two walks. The three runs she allowed were all unearned. Barker came on in relief to close out the game.
Merrill accumulated 16 hits on the day. Krueger led the way at the plate, going 3-for-3 with two RBIs. Barker also drove in two runs, and Kendell Klug and Mackenzie Herdt each collected multiple hits. The Bluejays also turned a double play.

Box Score:
Merrill 11 @ West Salem 6

Herdt throws no-hitter, records 300th strikeout in Merrill’s 11-0 shutout of La Crosse Logan
The second game of the April 18 tournament at Portage High School belonged entirely to Mackenzie Herdt.
“Huge point of mention in our 11-0 win against La Crosse Logan — pitcher Mackenzie Herdt threw her second no-hitter of her high school career and threw her 300th career strikeout,” Girls Varsity Softball Head Coach Alison Natzke said.

Herdt struck out 18 batters over six innings, allowing no hits and no walks, as Merrill blanked La Crosse Logan 11-0 to finish the day 2-0 in Portage.
Merrill wasted no time getting on the board, with Abbie Krueger grounding out to score a run in the first. The Bluejays then erupted for six runs on five hits in the third inning. Krueger singled to score two runs, and Ava Schult added a two-run single as well.
Krueger was the offensive leader, going 3-for-4 with three RBIs. Kendell Klug, Herdt, and Reese Kaminski each collected multiple hits as Merrill totaled 14 hits without committing an error.
Herdt (6 IP, 18 SO) earned the win.
Box Score:
Merrill 11 @ La Crosse Logan 0

Merrill softball blasts three home runs in one inning to down Lakeland 9-3
The Merrill Varsity Softball team delivered a big home win Thursday, April 30, beating Lakeland 9-3.
“We beat Lakeland 9-3 in a huge win,” Girls Varsity Softball Head Coach Alison Natzke said.
The decisive blow came in the fifth inning, when three Merrill batters went deep in the same frame. Mackenzie Herdt hit a solo home run to left field, Maddie Rogalla followed with a three-run shot to center, and Ava Schult capped the rally with a solo home run to center as well — giving Merrill six runs in the inning.

Rogalla was the offensive star of the game, finishing with three hits and five RBIs. She doubled in the fourth inning to score two runs and give Merrill a 3-2 lead before her fifth-inning home run extended the advantage. Schult and Abbie Krueger each added multiple hits, as did Kendell Klug and Madee Barker.
Krueger started in the circle, going 4 2/3 innings and allowing four hits and two runs with two strikeouts. Jacey Lyon came on in relief to earn the win, tossing 2 1/3 innings and allowing three hits, one run, one strikeout, and one walk. Merrill totaled 15 hits in the game.
Box Score:
Lakeland 3 @ Merrill 9