MFL MarMac softball hurt by big innings
Senior Kaitlin Picha singled, tripled, drove in a run and scored once in MFL MarMac’s first game against Kee on June 17. (Photos by Audrey Posten)
Bulldog shortstop Emme Wikner catches a pop up in the June 17 doubleheader versus the Hawks.
Grace Palas tries to beat a throw to first base in the first of two games against the Hawks.
By Audrey Posten, Times-Register
The MFL MarMac softball team suffered a winless week after dropping a pair of doubleheaders to Kee and South Winneshiek as well as a non-conference game at Central City.
The Bulldogs trailed just 3-1 through five innings in the first game of the June 17 doubleheader versus Kee. However, the Hawks piled on five runs in the top of the sixth and seven in the seventh to win 15-4.
Kee tallied 13 hits and nine walks, in addition to reaching twice on errors. The Bulldogs had six hits of their own, including two by Kaitlin Picha, who singled, tripled, drove in a run and scored once. Grace Palas knocked in two teammates on a single, and Ayla Gerndt, Emily Hendrickson-Troester and Autumn Shaw each collected one hit.
The Hawk offense remained hot in game two, earning nine more hits and five walks in a 12-0 victory. Four of those runs came in the opening frame and seven in the third.
MFL MarMac struggled to get anything going offensively against Kee pitcher Kaylee Hawes, who surrendered just one hit in three innings. Emme Wikner had the Bulldogs’ only hit—a double.
The win column continued to elude MFL MarMac at South Winn on June 19, where the Warriors pulled out the first game of the twin bill 4-1.
Bulldog pitcher Hendrickson-Troester gave up seven hits, five walks and four runs—three of which were earned—over seven innings.
MFL MarMac struggled to capitalize on eight hits of their own. Katelyn Gerndt was responsible for the lone RBI, after singling twice. She also drew a walk. Wikner earned two hits and walked, and Palas singled, walked and scored.
MFL MarMac jumped ahead 3-0 in the first inning of game two, but couldn’t sustain the lead. South Winn tied the game in the bottom of the frame and tacked on four more in the second. The Warriors capped off a 13-3 win with a five-run fifth inning.
The loss went to Lauryn Sandstrom, who allowed 10 hits, eight walks and two hit batters. Ten of the 13 runs scored against her were earned.
Wikner picked up two RBIs on a single and later stole a base and scored one run. Hendrickson-Troester was 1-2 with an RBI and Picha netted two hits, stole a base and crossed the plate once.
MFL MarMac closed out the week in an 11-1 loss at Central City. The Wildcats amassed 13 hits and did much of their damage in a 10-run third inning.
Garnett Niedziejko drove in Wikner, who reached earlier on a triple, for the Bulldogs’ only run. Picha had the team’s other hit.
The Bulldogs are now 2-19 overall and 0-7 in Upper Iowa Conference play. They have another pair of doubleheaders this week: at home versus West Central on June 24, then at Postville June 26. They will head to Waukon June 27.
