Knights slug one out at home with Birchwood

By Ginna Young The Cornell-Lake Holcombe softball program hosted two conference foes over the week, one, which turned out to be a slug fest.

April 8 vs. Birchwood-Winter conference (L 29-25) Fans were in for an offensive treat on both sides, as the Knights slugged it out with Birchwood-Winter. The visitors knocked in three runs in the first inning, but the Knights answered right back, with four runs of their own.

Birchwood then slammed in 13 runs in the second inning, while the Knights were able to get seven runs across the plate on their side of the inning.

“We are still struggling to find the answer on consistent pitching,” said coach Andy Lorenzen. “The girls are working hard to improve their strike throwing abilities.”

The teams went back and forth on driving in runs, but at the end, Birchwood took the win, 29-25.

“Walks and hit batters are detrimental at any level of softball,” said Lorenzen.

Senior Bralee Schroeder went an inning on the mound, allowing 3 hits and 14 runs, while walking 11. Senior Izzy Schwingle also took a turn, going three innings, giving up 5 hits and 11 runs, and walking 4. Senior Candice Spaeth went two innings, allowing 4 hits and 4 runs, while walking a batter and striking out 2.

Offensively, senior Alyssa Bowe notched 4 hits, while junior Faith Heinzen and sophomore Kyleigh Mercer each had 3 hits, with Schwingle adding 2. Coming up with a hit each, were sophomore Chloe Irwin, Schroeder, senior Richelle Raether and junior Savannah Burlingame.

“We will be just fine when we hit our stride and can put complete games together,” said Lorenzen.

April 10 vs. Northwood-Solon Springs conference (L 15-4) A couple days later, the Knights faced Northwood-Solon Springs at home, but got a slow start, as the visitors knocked in eight runs in the opening inning.

“Once again, a rough first inning plagued us,” said Lorenzen. “We played with the best team in the conference after that, until the sixth inning, when more mistakes were made.”

The Knights had one run cross the plate in the bottom of the first inning, but went on a dry spell until the sixth inning, when three runs crossed the plate. Meanwhile, Northwood added a run in the fifth and six more in the sixth inning, to take the 15-4 victory.

“We are starting to show signs of being able to compete, now, we just need to put a complete game together,” said Lorenzen.

Schwingle went three innings on the mound, giving up 8 hits and 8 runs, while striking out 2, with Spaeth on the mound for the other three innings, allowing 5 hits and 7 runs, also striking out 2 batters.

Schroeder had 2 hits in the game, with Bowe and Raether each chipping in with a hit.