Hayfield freshman makes big catch and big hit as Vikings advance to Section 1A tourney
Published 8:57 pm Friday, May 22, 2015
Hayfield’s Jackie Sanvick singles in the Section 1A West Division championship against Blooming Prairie Friday at Todd Park. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
A Hayfield freshman made the two biggest plays in the game as the top-seeded Vikings were able to get past No. 2 Blooming Prairie 5-0 in the Section 1A West title game in Todd Park Friday.
BP (9-9 overall) had runners on first and second with no outs in the top of the first inning when Elly Strunk blasted a shot to deep center field. Hayfield freshman Alexis Dudycha tracked the ball, hauled it in, and she hung on to the ball as she flipped over the center field fence and landed on the other side. After making the highlight catch, Dudycha still had the awareness to get up and fire the ball back in after the making the catch and BP was held scoreless in the top of the first.
Teammates surround Hayfield pitcher Jackie Sanvick after the Vikings claimed the Section 1A West Division championship Friday afternoon over Blooming Prairie at Todd Park. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
“I heard Maggie [Streightiff] yelling ‘back’ and I knew I was near the fence,” Dudycha said. “I caught it and I kind of fell over. I guess I had it pretty good, but it kind of hurt a little.”
The Vikings (17-4 overall) loaded the bases in the bottom of the first and Dudycha put her team in control when she blasted a two-run double to center field to make it 3-0. Olivia Matti made it a 4-0 game when she knocked in a run with a single.
Hayfield head coach Jana Wagner gave her freshman center fielder plenty of credit for stepping up in a big contest.
“That was Lexi’s game. It would’ve been 3-0 [BP] and that’s tough to come back from,” she said.
Hayfield pitcher Jackie Sanvick allowed just six hits and zero walks to get the shutout win. She said the first inning was key to helping her gain confidence, especially after Hayfield took an early lead.
“She saved my butt. That was the play of the game,” Sanvick said of Dudycha’s catch. “I’ve got good defense and that helps me feel comfortable with my pitching.”
Hayfield will take on Chatfield in a Section 1A softball semifinal game 5 p.m. Tuesday in Todd Park. The Vikings have a roster full of freshmen, but those youngsters are eager to keep winning.
Hayfield third baseman Olivia Matti fields a grounder and looks to throw in the Section 1A West Division championship against Blooming Prairie Friday afternoon at Todd Park. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
“We’ve just got to stay focused and just go with it,” Dudycha said. “We practice really hard and we stay focused in the dugout.”
BP 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 6 1
Hayfield 4 0 1 0 0 0 X — 5 7 1
Hayfield pitching: Jackie Sanvick (W) 7 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 3 K
Hayfield hitting: Grace Mindrup, 2-for-3, BB; Bhrett Zahnle, 1-for-3, R, HBP; Kyal Heydt, 0-for-4; Maggie Streightiff, 1-for-3, R; Alexis Dudycha, 1-for-2, double, 2 RBIs, R, BB; Kate Kruger, 1-for-2, 2 RBIs, BB; Lezlie Sorensen, 0-for-3; Sanvick, 0-for-2; Kayla Johnson, BB; Alyssa Sotelo, R
BP pitching: Elly Strunk (L) 6 IP, 7 H, 4 BB, 5 R, 1 ER, 5 K, 1 HBP
BP hitting: Tessa Ivers, 2-for-4, double; Madison Worke, 1-for-3; Strunk, 0-for-3; Bria Baldwin, 1-for-3; McKenna Hein, 0-for-2, BB; Abby Wayne, 0-for-3; Kalyn Naatz, 2-for-3; Anika Nowlan, 0-for-3; Linnea Sunde, 0-for-3