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Chisago Lakes 3

Pine City 0

Their schedule was starting to become brutal.

Last week, the Chisago Lakes softball team kicked off another long stretch of four games in eight days.

Still, with five straight wins under their belt, the Wildcats figured the busy week was coming at a good time.

They were right.

The action started more than a week ago when the ‘Cats bussed to Pine City to play the Dragons for the first and only time this season.

The Wildcats knew what type of game they were in for. Playing Pine City means facing Dragon fire-baller Rhiannon Sauter, a familiar face to the ‘Cats. Sauter was a member of the 2003-04 Chisago Lakes/Pine City girls hockey team that advanced to state this past winter. Now, after trying to help the Wildcats score on the ice, she was focused on keeping the ‘Cats from scoring on the field.

Meanwhile, Chisago Lakes was countering with Whitney Slagerman, who brought in a perfect record of 3-0.

The situation screamed pitchers’ duel, and that’s exactly what they got.

Slagerman and Sauter matched pitch for pitch early in the game, keeping the game scoreless through the first four innings.

“I knew Pine City. I didn’t think they would hit the ball all that well but Sauter is an above average pitcher,” said Steve Fisher, Chisago Lakes head softball coach. “I knew we would need a few bounces and we got them.”

And just in time. Batting in the top of the fifth, Chisago solved the Sauter riddle, striking for the first two runs of the game. Tara Walbridge got things started by walking to lead-off the inning. After a bunt single by Karina Swanberg, Walbridge scored on a Pine City error. Ariel Novak then pushed the Wildcat lead to 2-0, thanks to an RBI sacrifice fly.

Chisago added an insurance run in the seventh. Erin Cunningham and Walbridge began the inning with back-to-back singles, two of the Wildcats three hits in the game. Batting with two on and nobody out, Katie Young drove in Cunningham with a ground ball, completing the 3-0 win.

The pitching duel was as good as advertised. While Sauter held the Wildcats to just three hits, Slagerman shut out the Dragons, allowing only one hit and striking out nine. The ‘Cats were determined not to let that gem slip away.

“Whit pitched well again. She really did a nice job,” commented Fisher. “They had some chances, but other than that, Whitney dominated. She had nine strikeouts so she definitely kept us in the game. In games like that, you have to win the close ones and we did. Whit was on top of her game and the defense played well behind her.”

Chisago Lakes 3

Pine City 0

R H

Chisago Lakes 000 020 1 3 3

Pine City 000 000 0 0 1

Reed 0-3

Ploog 0-1

Baumgard 0-3

Nelson 0-3

Cunningham 1-3, R

Walbridge 1-2, R

Young 0-3, RBI

Swanberg 1-3, R

Novak 0-2, RBI

WP: Slagerman (4-0)

7 IP, H, 9 K

Chisago Lakes 16

Zimmerman 1 (5 innings)

While their win over Pine City was dominated by pitching, last Tuesday against Zimmerman, the bats were alive and kicking, knocking a very young Zimmerman team around the park. The ‘Cats struck for 16 runs in five innings en route to a 16-1 win.

The damage was done right away. Batting in the bottom of the first and down 1-0, the Wildcats sent nine batters to the plate, scoring three runs. One inning later, the ‘Cats added five more, increasing their lead to 8-1.

After a scoreless third, Chisago finished the Thunder off with a storm of their own, plating eight more runs in the bottom of the fourth, adding the finishing touches on a 16-1 win.

Offensively, seven of the nine starters for Chisago finished with two hits. Sophomore Andrea Nelson added two RBI’s.

On the mound, Whitney Slagerman went the distance, striking out eight and walking two. The win moved Slagerman to 5-0 on the season, and moved the Wildcats overall record to 7-3.

Chisago Lakes 16

Zimmerman 1 (5 innings)

R

Zimmerman 100 00 1

Chisago Lakes 350 8X 16

Highlights-

Reed- 2 H, RBI

Novak- 2 H

Baumgard- 2 H, RBI

Nelson- 2 H, 2 RBI

Reineccius- 2 H

Wilke- 2 H

Oehme- 2 H

Big Lake 3

Chisago Lakes 0

As it turned out, they should’ve saved some offense for last Thursday. They didn’t, falling to Big Lake 3-0, putting an end to their season long seven game winning streak.

The Wildcats knew it would be a defensive battle. After losing to the Hornets 3-1 in their first game of the season, the ‘Cats were once again shut down at the plate, mustering only three hits while striking out 13 times. Ariel Novak, Rachel Nelson, and Katie Young registered the hits for Chisago. Only Novak made it as far as third base.

“It’s tough to go from Zimmerman to Big Lake, to go from just tossing the ball over the plate to bullets,” remarked Fisher. “We just didn’t come to play. We didn’t even get the bat on the ball, that was disappointing. I was really disappointed with our lack of aggressiveness at the plate. It’s basically you against the pitcher, and we have to find a way to win those battles.”

Meanwhile, on the other side, Whitney Slagerman was just as good, keeping the Hornets sting-free until the second when they scored the first run of the game. The score stayed that way until the fifth when Big Lake pushed across two more, finalizing a 3-0 win.

“It was kind of like the first time we played them, we just couldn’t string anything together,” replied Fisher. “To be honest, they were better than we were, especially their pitcher and catcher. It doesn’t take much in softball, two players can make a big difference. But, when you lose a game or two here and there, you have to keep on going to practice and keep on working hard. There is still a lot of games left to be played.”

The victory kept the Hornets on top of the conference standings. It also dropped the Wildcats season record to 7-4 and their conference mark to 4-3.

Big Lake 3

Chisago Lakes 0

R H

Chisago Lakes 000 000 0 0 3

Big Lake 010 020 X 3 4

Reed 0-2

Novak 1-3

Baumgard 0-3

Nelson 1-3

Cunningham 0-2

Reineccius 0-1

Walbridge 0-2

Wilke 0-1

Young 1-3

Slagerman 0-2

Swanberg 0-2

LP: Slagerman (4-1)

6 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 5 K, 4 BB

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