Sports

Sioux softball wins two at East West Crossover in Minot

By Tyler Ohmann

05/07/2013

The Westhope-Newburg-Bottineau softball team made more strides this past week as they went 2-3 in the East West Crossover in Minot this past weekend.

The Sioux downed both Watford City and Central McLean, but fell to Des Lacs-Burlington-Berthold, Kenmare-Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood and Thompson.

Game 1: WNB 9, Watford City 2

The Sioux won their second game of the season in the opener of the East West Crossover in Minot last Friday with a 9-2 victory over region opponent Watford City.

A six run first inning propelled the Sioux past the Wolves as junior pitcher Ashlyn Huber earned the win on the mound with a complete game.

Huber was also strong at the plate going 3-for-4 with a triple and two runs batted in (RBI).

The Sioux offense which rapped eight hits was also propelled by senior Hadlee Schell (2-for-3 RBI) and Amber Hall (1-for-2, two walks and an RBI).

Game 2: DLB-Berthold 6, WNB 4

Game two on Friday was another strong showing for the Sioux against another region foe. WNB scored three runs in the top of the first and held the lead until the bottom of the fifth. DLB-Berthold score one run there and three more in the bottom of the sixth to take a 6-4 lead, but the Sioux didn’t worry.

“With the Sioux top of the order up we were feeling pretty good about our chances,” stated Sioux coach Layne Fluhrer in a press release. “The Sioux smoked the ball hard three times but, ended up being right at one of their defenders going one, two, three in the top of the inning .”

WNB were led by senior Becca Christenson, who went 3-for-4 and scored a run. Two of the Sioux’s six hits came from sophomore Lauren Mach, who was 2-for-3 with a run, a stolen base and an RBI.

Game 3: WNB 22, Central McLean 19

The Sioux took on Central McLean for the third time this season and both teams slugged it out and committed several errors.

WNB hung on to an early lead that was fueled by a six-run second inning. Maddy Lodoen got the start on the mound for the Sioux and went two innings, allowing six runs as she earned the win.

Huber came in for the final five innings and got the save, allowing 13 runs, but Central McLean only had four hits in the game to the Sioux’s 10.

WNB had nine errors, while Central McLean committed eight.

Schell was again strong at the dish as she was 3-for-5 with three runs and four RBI. Huber was 3-for-6 with four runs scored and two RBI and freshman Shelby Grenier was 2-for-2 with two runs and an RBI.

Game four: Kenmare-MLS 10, WNB 8

Eighth grader Hannah Tofteland made her first career start, and took the mound with the lead.
The Sioux scored twice in the first and three times in the second to take a 5-0 lead.

However, Kenmare-MLS came back, scoring five times in the second and three in the third.

“She pitched extremely well for pitching for the first time and kept us in the game, pitching three innings and only giving up 10 runs,” stated Fluhrer.

Huber came in and shut the door, allowing only two more runs, but the Sioux offense couldn’t close the gap.

Christenson went 3-for-4 with two runs and an RBI. She also swiped two bases.

Sophomore Jacie Ceglowski came up big with a 3-for-5 night with two runs and an RBI. Hall was 1-for-2 with a run and Schell again did well at the plate with three RBI.

Game five: Thompson 32, WNB 12

In their fifth game in two days a worn out Sioux team took on their toughest opponent yet as they played Thompson.

“Tired is the word here.  The Sioux just ran out of gas,” Fluhrer stated. “The Tommies took the lead in the third and never looked back.”

Thompson got 16 hits and scored 13 runs in both the third and the fifth, which was too much for the Sioux despite a seven hit and 12 run effort.

Christenson was again a force at the plate scoring three times and driving in a run. Huber was 1-for-1 with a stolen base and Lauren Mach was 1-for-3 with two runs, two stolen bases and an RBI.

It will be an even busier week for the Sioux (3-4) as they host Minot JV at 4 p.m. for a doubleheader tonight in Westhope. They then travel to Grafton on Friday and Saturday for a full slate of games.

WNB will play three times on Friday (Watford City, DLB-Berthold and Grafton) and three more times on Saturday (Central McLean, Kenmare-MLS and Pembina County North).