By Coach Heather Struve
The first matchup between Gehlen and South O’Brien on June 4 ended with Gehlen winning 14-12 in a slugfest. On July 3 it could not have been any more different with Gehlen taking the win 2-1 in a pitcher’s duel/defensive battle.
The Wolverines started the game great with Abby Nelson drawing a leadoff walk and advancing all the way to third when Tawni Wulf laid down a bunt that had an errant throw. Jinger Nieuwenhuis ripped a hard line drive to left field to score Nelson and put Wulf at third with no outs.
Kelsee Warnke replaced Nieuwenhuis on the bases and stole second on the first pitch to put runners at second and third. Then we had a fly out to the catcher. On the next play Reese Farquhar laid down a bunt to try to squeeze a runner in, but Wulf was thrown out at the plate. Our next batter grounded out to second base. It was unfortunate to only get the one run that inning with runners in great scoring position and no outs.
Gehlen put their first run on the board in the third inning off of a couple of base hits and a stolen base. Both teams were held scoreless until the bottom of the seventh. Gehlen started off the inning with back-to-back base hits and a sacrifice bunt to put runners at second and third with one out.
South O’Brien elected to intentionally walk the next batter to load the bases and create a force out at home. Having to make the play at home no matter what, the outfielders had to play shallow. The next batter hit a fly to left center, which Addison Hedberg made a great catch on and fired home, but the throw was not quite in time to prevent the Gehlen runner scoring from third.
What a great defensive effort tonight! And Brooklyn Edwards had a very controlled night on the mound. The first time we played Gehlen we gave up 15 total hits, 10 of them off of Brooklyn. Tonight she gave up just five hits and two runs, both earned. She walked three and struck out two in the loss. We are making heads up plays all over the field. We just need to help ourselves out and get the bats clicking. South O’Brien only ended up with two hits on the night. Nieuwenhuis hit the RBI single and Lindsey Einck also had a base hit. With this type of hitting we were lucky to be in the game.
S. O’Brien
1 0 0 0 0 0 0 – 1
Gehlen
0 0 1 0 0 0 1 – 2