(Harlan) In a Hawkeye Ten Conference softball game at Harlan on Thursday, Atlantic clinched an 11-1 victory over Harlan.
Their strong performance in the top of the second inning, where they scored six runs, combined with Zoey Kirchhoff’s impressive pitching, led to their success. Kirchhoff allowed only one run on three hits, struck out two batters, and didn’t give up any walks. In total, the Trojans scored 11 runs on 11 hits.
The Trojans quickly made their mark at the plate in the first inning. Makenna Schroeder kicked things off with a powerful double, and then Lila Wiederstein drew a walk. Both players scored, giving the Trojans an early 2-0 lead. The Cyclones responded with a run in the bottom of the inning. Leadoff hitter Lauren Schmitz reached base on an error and later crossed the plate, bringing the score to 2-1.
The Trojans took command of the game in the top of the second inning, sending ten batters to the plate and scoring six runs on four hits. Wiederstein hit a two-run home run, while Peyton McLaren, Claire Schroder, and Claire Pellett each got base hits. With an 8-1 lead going into the bottom of the inning, Zoey Kirchhoff efficiently retired the Cyclone hitters in less than ten pitches.
In the third inning, Atlantic extended their lead with two runs. Schroder led off with a single, followed by a single from Adler Bruce, which brought home Schroder. Moments later, Bruce scored on an error, making the score 10-1. Atlantic didn’t score in the fourth inning but added one run in the top of the fifth. They kept Harlan from scoring in the bottom of the inning, securing a win via the ten-run rule in five innings.
Claire Schroder went 3-3 at the plate, Wiederstein belted a two-run homer, and Makenna Schroeder hit a double and a single to lead the Trojans’ offense.
Aubrey Wegner went 1-2 at the plate, and Carly Goshorn went 2-for-2 with two singles.
The Trojans extended their record to 11-4 in the conference and 20-12 overall, while Harlan dropped to 2-14 in the conference and 2-21 overall.