Strunk fans 15 as Blossoms down Rebel softball team
Published 7:47 pm Friday, April 11, 2014
Blooming Prairie’s Lizz Willert slides under the reach of Southland’s Macy Klaehn as the ball gets past her in the first inning Friday in Blooming Prairie. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
The Blooming Prairie softball team has its offense rolling and its pitching is starting to catch up.
Blooming Prairie’s Tessa Ivers watchers her bunt go foul in an at-bat in the first inning against Southland Friday. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
The Awesome Blossoms used a four-run fifth inning to get past Southland (0-1 overall) 13-4 in BP Friday.
BP (2-0 overall) has now scored at least nine runs in its first two games. Mariah Holland was 4-for-4 with a triple and an RBI for BP and Bria Baldwin was 2-for-4 with a double and four RBIs.
“Every game we’ll get more comfortable,” BP head coach Ali Mach said. “Hopefully we keep improving.”
BP freshman pitcher Elly Strunk struck out 15 and allowed just two earned runs. The biggest factor for Strunk is she only had five walks after walking 10 batters in a 9-8 win over Maple River Thursday.
“Elly had a lot more control today,” Mach said. “They have some good hitters in the middle of their lineup.”
Sam Emanuel went 4-for-4 for the Rebels.
BP pitching: Elly Strunk (W), 7 IP, 6 H, 5 BB, 4 R, 2 ER, 15 K
BP hitting: Tessa Ivers, 4-for-5, RBI, 2 R, 2 SB; Liz Willert, 3-for-4, RBI, 3 R, SB; Bria Baldwin, 2-for-4, double, 4 RBIs, 2 SB; Mariah Holland, 4-for-4, double, triple, RBI, 2 R, SB; Strunk, 2-for-4, 2 RBIs, 2 R
Southland hitting: Sam Emanuel, 4-for-4, double, 2 R; Olivia Gray, 1-for-4, R; McKayla Swenson, 1-for-2, 2 BBs, SB; Merideth Heimer, 1-for-4, double