The Falcon softball team lost a 13-1 decision to Denison-Schleswig at the annual OABCIG Invite. The Monarchs led 2-1 after one inning, but scored six runs in the second inning and five runs in the third inning to put the game out of reach. Justice DesChamps smacked a hit, stole two bases, and scored the Falcons’ lone run, while Kylie Schluter also hit safely and Kenai Nielsen drove in a run. Karter Hemer handled the pitching duties for OABCIG, striking out two batters. The Falcons season record fell to 2-6.
The Ridge View softball team battled a talented West Monona squad last Monday at Galva, and came away with a one-run victory. The Raptors were led by Addison Schmidt and Katie Pickhinke, who both belted two hits including a double. Ridge View also got hits from Shae Dutler, Tatum Shepherd, and Beth Mentzer. Schmidt knocked in two RBI’s, while Pickhinke and Shepherd both accounted for one RBI. Emma Vohs scored two runs to lead the Raptors in that category, while Pickhinke and Shepherd both crossed home plate once in the victory.
The Ridge View baseball team won a hotly contested matchup last Tuesday in Holstein, holding off a late OABCIG rally to come away with a 7-6 victory. The game was tight throughout, as both teams scored three runs in the first inning and the game was tied at 4-4 after two innings. The Raptors broke through for three runs in the fourth inning to give themselves a 7-4 cushion. That lead held up until the seventh inning, when the Falcons plated two runs to pull within 7-6, but Ridge View was able to get the final out to secure the one run victory.
The OABCIG softball team fell behind early against a tough West Monona squad, and lost a 17-3 decision on Wednesday in Battle Creek. The Falcons trailed 5-1 after one inning and 9-2 after two innings. The Spartans plated six runs in the fourth inning to seal the victory and improve their record to 7-1, while OABCIG fell to 0-3 on the season. The Falcons got hits from Abby Winterrowd, Haley Harms, Alexis Ulrich, and Jocelynn Maier. Harms and Maier both knocked in RBI’s, while Winterrowd, Ulrich, and Kenai Nielsen scored runs for OABCIG.
The OABCIG baseball team put away West Monona early in the game on Wednesday in Ida Grove, taking a 17-1 lead after two innings and cruising to victory from there, in a game shortened due to the mercy rule. The Falcons were led at the plate by Max Webb, who smacked three hits and drove in three RBI’s. Treyten Kolar also had three hits for OABCIG. Gabe Winterrowd had two hits, including a double, and drove in three RBI’s. Brysen Kolar smashed two hits, while Zach Hemer, Kane Ladwig, and Kelton Ladwig all contributed hits to the Falcon cause.
The Ridge View softball team wasted little time in taking control of their matchup with OABCIG, racing out to a 7-0 lead after one inning and building the margin to 12-1 after two innings, before cruising to a 13-1 victory. The Raptors were led at the plate by Addison Schmidt, who belted three hits, including two doubles, and drove in three RBI’s. Katie Pickhinke smacked two hits, including a single and a triple, and batted in two RBI’s. Emma Vohs, Sky Henkel, Abby Wandrey, and Beth Mentzer all hit safely for Ridge View, with Henkel smacking a double.
OABCIG baseball coach Tyler Johnson is optimistic about the upcoming baseball season. “We return a solid core of guys,” said Johnson, “including seniors Easton Harms, Zach Hemer, and Max Webb, and juniors Treyten Kolar, Luke Swanger, and Gabe Winterrowd.”
Johnson also has some other players he feels can contribute to the team.
“Some guys to look out for this season are junior Damon Dausel and sophomore Kelton Ladwig, along with a talented host of freshmen.” Coach Johnson noted an area his team needs to work on.
Coach Summit Nielsen and the Falcon softball team are hoping to show improvement after fielding an extremely young team last season. “We had quite the young varsity team last year,” said Nielsen, “starting six freshman and sophomore, so we are hoping that year of experience shows this season.”
Coach Nielsen has already seen some improvement in practice.
“We’ve had some players show us in practice that they’ve made some improvements in their game, and we hope to utilize those skills this year.”
Nielsen talked about some areas her team can improve on.
The Ridge View girls softball team opened their season on a high note Wednesday, defeating Cherokee 13-3 on a cool, rainy night in Galva. The contest was called after five innings due to the ten-run rule. The Raptors took a 5-1 lead after two innings, then outscored the Braves 7-1 in the fourth inning to really break the game open. Winning pitcher Addison Schmidt struck out six batters, and helped her own cause at the plate by smacking four hits, including two doubles, and batting in six RBIs. Emma Vohs also collected four hits including two doubles, and scored four runs.
The Ridge View baseball team used an eight-run third inning to build an 8-3 lead against Cherokee on Wednesday, but the Braves clawed their way back to squeak out a 10-9 victory. Caden Biede and Cael Myrtue both pitched for Ridge View. Tyhler Kolpin smacked two hits and drove in two RBIs, while scoring two runs himself. Tracin Price, Caden Biede, Gavin Vohs, and Blake Myrtue all collected hits for the Raptors.
