April 26, 2007 at 2:07 p.m.
North Branch softball falls twice to northern foes
North Branch softball falls twice to northern foes
The Vikings jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first against Cloquet. Maggie Johnson doubled and Megan Ranger's single gave the Vikings the game's first run. Cloquet used a hit batter, a double, a walk and an error to score two unearned runs in the top of the second to go up 2-1. The Vikings tied it in the bottom of the second when Kayla Obitz, on third with a triple, scored on an error by the Cloquet shortstop.
Cloquet took the lead for good when they used a walk, an error and a double to score two more unearned runs. The 'Jacks added one in the sixth and two more in the seventh to complete the scoring.
"I really feel like we took ourselves out of the game mentally after the error in the fifth that allowed two runs," said Viking head coach Ron Trunk. "Our bats need to start to come alive to take some of the pressure off of our pitchers and defense."
The Vikings had two runs on six hits and two errors. Cloquet used nine hits to score their seven runs.
Steph Saxe pitched all seven innings, giving up three earned runs, striking out six and walking five, and took the loss. Johnson and Ranger were both 2 for 4 at the plate and Megan Aho and Obitz collected the Vikings' other hits.
Hermantown at North Branch
The Vikings played from behind the whole game after Hermantown scored four runs in each of the first two innings. The Vikings showed some life in the bottom of the fourth, making the score 8-3. Ranger and Saxe singles, followed by back-to-back doubles by Tiffany Good and Obitz provided the runs.
The Hawks put it out of reach by scoring three in the fifth and matched that in the sixth. A Saxe double and an Obitz single gave the Vikings their last run in the sixth. NB went on to load the bases, but a ground out to third ended the Viking threat.
Good pitched six innings, gave up 10 earned runs, struck out three, walked three and took the loss. Saxe was 2 for 3 with a double. Good and Obitz hit doubles and Aho, Ranger, Johnson and Karissa Wilson singled for the Vikings.
"We're starting to hit better, so that is encouraging. But you have to give credit to Hermantown. They really hit the ball," said coach Trunk. "Their defense makes you earn everything and their pitcher only gave up one walk. They are well coached."
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