(Atlantic) During a pre-game interview, Atlantic Head Softball Coach Terry Hinzmann highlighted the importance of starting quickly, and his team did not disappoint. On Thursday, the Trojans secured a 12-0 victory against Denison-Schleswig in just three innings at Atlantic.
The Trojans scored 12 runs from 12 hits in just three innings at the plate. Freshman Peyton McLaren claimed the win in the circle, allowing no runs from two hits, supported by error-free defense.
In the bottom of the first inning, the Trojans quickly gained a 4-0 lead. Then, in the bottom of the second, they delivered a significant blow to the Monarchs by scoring eight runs from eight hits, with the Trojans’ batters going around the lineup with 11 plate appearances.
Makenna Schroeder kicked off the action in the first inning with a triple and then scored on a wild pitch. Lila Wiederstein followed up with a stand-up double while Zoey Kirchhoff walked, allowing them both to score and granting the home team a 3-0 lead. McLaren hit a home run over the left-field fence, extending the Trojans’ lead to 4-0.
Claire Schroder continued the momentum in the bottom of the second with a lead-off single, and from there, everything fell into place. Claire Pellett, Riley Wood, Schroeder, and Wiederstein hit singles. Jillian Saathoff wrapped a two-out single, Peyton McLaren walked on four straight pitches, and Adler Bruce hit a 2 RBI single. When the dust cleared, the Trojans plated with runs on nine hits. McLaren set up the win in the top of the third inning, retiring three of four Monarch Batters.
In the bottom of the third inning, Riley Wood singled, Schroeder layed down a sacrifice bunt, and Wiederstein drove home the winning run with a single.
Riley Wood, Makenna Schroeder, and Lila Wiederstein led the hit parade. Wiederstein hit a double and two singles, Wood went 2-3, Schroeder 2-2 with a triple, single, and sacrifice bunt. Peyton McLaren homered, and Jillian Saathoff, Adler Bruce, Claire Schroder, and Claire Pellett stroked one hit each.
Claire Leinen hit a double, and Ann Wessel smacked a single to account for the two Monarch hits.
The Trojans, now 16-9 on the season, compete in the Fort Dodge Tournament on Friday and Saturday. Denison-Schleswig, now 7-11, host a tournament on Saturday.
Photo taken before the game during the Hall of Fame presentation of new inductee ReAnn Cappel.
