WCA softball moves to 3-0

Brooke Kern
Grant County Herald

West Central Area pounded out 20 runs on 19 hits in a 20-10 West Central Conference win over Minnewaska Tuesday, April 18, in Glenwood.

The two teams combined for 25 hits and 30 runs as Minnewaska was hindered by six fielding errors in the game.

“Minnewaska did a nice job throwing strikes, putting the ball in play and holding us accountable on defense,” WCA coach Vanessa McNamara said.

Emma Poegel was the Lakers’ top hitter, going 2-for-3 with a double and three runs scored.

WCA scored three runs in both the first and second innings to jump ahead 6-3 after two complete innings. The Knights added two more insurance runs in the third to go up 8-4 before scoring four runs each in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings for the 10-run victory.

“Lots of learning happened (Tuesday),” McNamara added. “It is odd to play games without having an outdoor practice, but our players are taking it in stride. They are taking a lot of opportunities to learn on the fly, take chances and learn from their mistakes.”

“We still have plenty of things to clean up in our game,” McNamara added. “But gosh we, as coaches, are proud of these kids.”

Freshman Lily Mahoney and Nora Anderson combined for a “nice job in the circle,” McNamara said, while sophomore Addison Staples, freshman Aidan Porter and eighth-grader Brinley Ulrich, “did a great job behind the plate.”

Being only the third game of the year, positions and line-up are still shifting around game-to-game to see what works best for the Knights.

“We are still moving our line up around and our positions as this team is mostly new players. All in all, they are doing the little things well,” McNamara said. “This team is filled with hustle, excitement, and athleticism.”

The Knights continued their road season at Barnesville Monday, April 24, and are next scheduled to play a West Central Conference doubleheader at Montevideo Thursday, April 27, before opening the home season with a conference doubleheader against Melrose Friday, April 29, in Barrett.