(Atlantic) The Atlantic softball team extends its record to 32-6, with a 5-2 victory over Cherokee, Washington, in a Class 3A quarterfinal on Thursday night at Atlantic.
The Trojans struck first with two runs in the opening inning. Lila Wiederstein and Makenna Schroeder both reached base on infield hits. Wiederstein placed her sprinter speed on display with two stolen bases. Schroeder advanced to second, and Jillian Saathoff stepped to the plate and drilled a two-RBI single to put the Trojans on top 2-0.
The Braves tied the game in the top of the third inning with two runs on three hits. Sophie Thorson belted a two-RBI single to even the score at 2-2. Mahren Malausky found some rythum in the circle and retired 10 out of 11 Trojan batters.
The game took a turn in the bottom of the fifth inning. Wiederstein and Schroeder on errors, and London, Kirchhoff drew a walk to load the bases with one out. Saathoff then belted her third RBI of the game and 33rd of the season to give the Trojans a 4-2 advantage. Zoey Kirchhoff polished off the scoring with a ground-ball RBI, giving the Trojans a 5-2 lead. Peyton McLaren, who began her pitching duties in the fourth inning, retired 11 straight batters to finish off the win.
Jillian Saathoff led the Trojans offensively, going 2-for-3 with three RBI. Lila Wiederstein finished 2-for-3, scored twice, and swiped two bases, while Makenna Schroeder also went 2-for-3 with an RBI and scored twice.
Atlantic outhit Cherokee 7-4 and committed just one error.
Brynn Lamp started in the circle for Atlantic, allowing two earned runs on three hits while striking out four over the first three innings. Peyton McLaren earned the win in relief, tossing four scoreless innings and allowing just one hit while striking out one and walking none.
Sophie Thorson led the Braves with a two-RBI single, and Kaitlyn Miller, Aria Wickel, Ava Wickel, and Carli Lubeck each contributed three hits. Cherokee, Washington’s season comes to an end with a record of 11-14.
Atlantic, now 32-6, hosts Unity, Christian, 22-2, on Saturday night in a Class 3A Regional Semifinal. We will broadcast on 95.7 F.M. Pre-game starts at 6:30, with the first pitch at 7:00 p.m.
Check back to listen to the interviews with Coach Terry Hinzmann, Jillian Saathoff, and Peyton McLaren.
Atlantic Head Coach Terry Hinzmann had these comments afterward.
Jillian Saathoff knocked in three runs on Thursday night. The junior talks about her approaches to the plate.
Peyton McLaren contributed a hit and pitched four solid innings for the Trojans.
