(Atlantic) Olivia Engler struck 17 batters to lead Atlantic past Exira/EHK 5-1 in a non-conference softball game at Atlantic on Thursday.
Engler allowed one run on two hits, struck out 17 batters, and didn’t give up a walk. The Trojans scored five runs on nine hits and committed one error. Spartan pitcher Macy Emgarten had pinpoint control as well. The junior stayed ahead in the count and recorded six strikeouts and no walks.
The Spartans jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Quinn Grubbs reached base on an error and scored on Macy Emgarten’s RBI single. Mollie Rasmussen followed Emgarten with a base hit, but that would be all the Spartans’ offense could muster against Engler. The Atlantic senior struck 17 of 19 hitters in the final six innings of the contest to secure the win.
“All my pitches were working tonight,” said Engler. “I have nights when they aren’t all working, or I’m not hitting my spots, but other than the first inning, that wasn’t the case tonight. Having 17 strikeouts is a big accomplishment, but I couldn’t do it without the support of my teammates.”
The Trojans tied the contest with one run in the bottom of the first inning. Lead-off hitter Maddie Botos singled and scored on Malena Woodward’s RBI single. Atlantic added two more runs in the bottom of the second inning. Ava Rush laid down a bunt single driving home Caroline Pellett from third, and Botos drove Rush home to put the home team up 3-1. The Trojans rattled the bats in the bottom of the sixth inning with two more insurance runs on four straight singles off the bats of Lauren Nicholas, Kennedy Georgen, Caroline Pellett, and Jada Jensen.
“Macy Emgarten pitched a good game and that was good for us to see, and I thought our hitters did a good job of putting the ball in play, ” said Atlantic Head Coach Terry Hinzmann.
Botos lead the Trojans with three hits and one RBI, and Malena Woodward went two for three at the plate with one RBI.
The Trojans are no 5-1 on the season. Exira-EHK is 7-1.
