(Atlantic) Atlantic carries a four-game winning streak into tonight’s regular season softball game against Denison-Schleswig. The Trojans defeated Treynor on Wednesday, topped Red Oak in a doubleheader on Thursday, and defeated Lewis Central on Friday.
The Trojans have won seven out of the last ten games and face the Monarchs for the second time this season. Atlantic was a 9-5 victor at Denison on June 15.
Atlantic Head Coach Terry Hinzmann says facing Denison-Schleswig is always a battle. “Kevin Dau says an outstanding job with his teams, regardless of the talent year in and year out, always well coached, and well disciplined,” said Hinzmann. “Over the years, whether we were good, or not so good, or they were good, or not so good, it is always a battle for us.”
Atlantic is hitting .322 as a team led by Claire Schroder (.404), Lila Wiederstein (.390), Ava Rush (.380), and Claire Pellett (.361). The Trojans have used three pitchers this season, 8th grader Peyton McLaren, freshman Zoey Kirchhoff, and junior Riley Wood. Wood has logged most of the innings (103), 87 strikeouts, and 27 walks, with an earned run average of 2.11.
The Monarchs enter the contest having won five out of their last ten games and look to rebound after falling short to Creston in a doubleheader on June 29. The Monarchs are hitting (.263), as a team, led by Kaylie Baker (.379), Elli Heiden (.371), Ashlyn Herrig (.343), and Kianna Schulz (.320). Claire Leinen is 11-13 in the circle, 165.1 innings of work, a 2.71 ERA, 165 strikeouts, and 41 walks.
Atlantic is 15-4 in conference play and 20-15 overall. Denison-Schleswig is 9-9, and 16-16. The game will be broadcast on 95.7 F.M. The pre-game show starts at 7:20 p.m.
