South O’Brien recorded its first shutout win of thre season June 11 with a 5-0 victory over Gehlen Catholic. The War Eagle Conference game was played June 11 at Le Mars.
“After playing two of our worst games of the year, we played by far our best game against Gehlen,” stated Wolverine head coach Heather Struve. “Alli Griebel threw her best game of the year, holding Gehlen to just two hits on the night. She was really mixing in her off-speed and change up nicely and hitting her spots pretty well all night. Our defense was stellar behind her. Abby Nelson made a couple of huge plays at shortstop to save runs.”
Griebel walked four batters, struck out three and hit one. Neither of the runs were earned.
Both teams were scoreless through the first inning. After one out in the top of the second the teams were in a lightning delay. “You never know how your team will react to that type of situation,” said Struve.
In the top of the third Lindsey Einck reached base on an error with one out. Nelson then lined one to centerfield that scored Einck. That would be the only score through six innings of play.
In the top of the seventh with one out Maeci Stevens doubled to right and scored on a bunt by Tawni Wulf that was overthrown. Einck singled to put runners at first and second. The runners were replaced by pinch runners Avery Halverson and Kaylin Kreber. Nelson reached on an error to load the bases. Reese Farquhar hit into a fielder’s choice which got the runner out at home. With the bases loaded and two outs Abby Woodall crushed a shot to the left center fence to score three runs and give the visitors a 5-0 lead going into the bottom of the seventh. Gehlen got a runner to second base but Griebel got out of the inning with no damage.
“This was a great team win and our first conference win of the season!” noted Struve.
S. O’Brien
0 0 1 0 0 0 4 – 5
Gehlen
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 – 0