Warner strikes out 12; Gilman runs past the Ramblers to get first win
GILMAN SOFTBALL
Addy Warner struck out 12 batters while firing a two-hitter, while aggressive base running and 10 base hits carried the offense in the Gilman Pirates’ 6-1 win over Eau Claire Regis Tuesday in their softball season opener.
The host Pirates, who started six sophomores or freshmen, took the lead for good with two runs in the bottom of the first and put it away with three more in the fourth. Leadoff hitter Tychelle Duellman went four for four with two runs scored, a run batted in and a nice running catch in centerfield at one point in the game. Bryn Hendricks went three for four with two runs scored in her varsity debut. Warner went two for three with a walk and Tatum Weir went one for two with two walks and a run scored.
Meanwhile, Warner walked just two batters while pitching all seven innings. The Ramblers’ run was earned.
“I was very pleased with how our kids played,” head coach Brian Phelps said. “They were resilient and just dug in. Defensively, Addy helped make it easy on us.”
Duellman and Tallier singled to start the bottom of the first inning. Duellman would score on a passed ball and Tallier alertly scored on an errant throw back to the pitcher from Regis’ catcher.
“We were really smart in running the bases,” Phelps said. “We put a lot of time into that following our scrimmage Saturday (at Thorp).”
The Pirates broke the game open in the fourth. Weir walked, Hendricks singled and Duellman followed with a runscoring single. Tallier, Ava Warner and Addy Warner drew consecutive walks to force in two more runs.
The Pirates drew six walks and struck out seven times. Two of their runs were unearned.
“Addy threw well, mixed her pitches well,” Phelps said. “Some hitters she was able to blow it by them. Otherwise, she was using all of her pitches and hitting her locations.
“Ava Warner caught for us and did a great job,” he added. “That allowed us to move Gracie to shortstop, which helps us because she has so much range. Defensively we had just one error with Bailey Angell at third, Bryn at second and Hannah Vick at first.”
Gilman is at Stanley-Boyd today, Thursday, and then hosts Flambeau Friday in 5 p.m. non-conference starts. Prentice is in town Monday for another non-conference game at 4:45 p.m. Eastern Cloverbelt play opens Thursday with a trip to Columbus Catholic.
