New Richmond softball team tames Wildcats 11-1

• Paige Charland

New Richmond senior Paige Charland (9) slides home safely as the throw eludes the River Falls catcher in the Tigers’ 11-1 win over the Wildcats last Thursday.

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Facing opponents from the Big Rivers Conference is still a major measuring stick for New Richmond teams, so the 11-1 win by the Tiger softball team over River Falls last Thursday was a proud day.

The Tigers flashed some impressive hitting against the Wildcats, slashing out 15 hits in the five-inning game. Leading the attack was senior Kelsey Gilkison, who produced three hits, including a triple. Senior Paige Charland reached base four times, on two hits and two walks. Ashley Langer and Ebony Campbell both had two hits.

In the first inning the Tigers scored three runs and they added two runs in the second and third innings. The Tigers polished off the game with a five-run rally in the fifth inning. Sophomore Sydney Jones delivered a two-run walk-off single that gave the Tigers the win by the 10-run rule in the fifth inning.

Langer pitched the complete game against River Falls, throwing a three-hitter. She allowed two walks and registered three strikeouts.

The game against River Falls was part of a hectic final week of the regular season, with the Tigers playing five non-conference games against higher level opposition. That string of games began last Tuesday when the Tigers lost at home to Woodbury, Minn., by a 6-2 score.

Eight different Tigers each had one hit against Woodbury, but the Tigers couldn’t string together any major rallies. Woodbury scored three times in the first inning, twice in the fourth inning and once in the fifth. The Tigers scored single runs in the second and seventh innings.

“We’re getting used to playing solid teams,” said Tiger coach Becky Ahlbrecht, who added this game after the Robbinsdale Cooper tournament appearance was cancelled.

The Tigers did get in some tournament action this week, playing in three games at a tournament in Bloomer on Saturday. The Tigers lost to Bloomer, Superior and Menomonie in the tournament.

In the opening game the Tigers gave Bloomer, the Heart O’North Conference champion, a strong challenge, losing 6-1. The game was scoreless until Bloomer scored five times in the fourth inning. The Tigers notched their only run in the sixth inning. The Tigers were limited to four hits in the game, with Sydney Kannel getting two of the four.

In the second round the Tigers lost to Superior 9-2. Ahlbrecht used the tournament to work in several junior varsity players who could move up to the varsity next season. JV pitcher Jordyn Bonney saw her first varsity action against Superior, throwing the complete game. The game was close until Superior’s Jessica Lindstrom pounded a grand slam homer in the fourth inning.

Charland and Ellie Emerson each had a double against Superior. Charland and Megan Chelberg drove home the Tiger runs.

In the final game of the day the Tigers lost to Menomonie 6-2. Langer and Bonney split the pitching duties in the game. The Tigers scored their runs in the sixth inning. Callie Jirik started the rally with a bunt single. Maddie Krumm reached on an error. Jirik scored on a double by Gilkison and Krumm crossed the plate after Campbell reached on the error.

The heavy week of non-conference action was meant to prepare the Tigers for the WIAA Division 2 tournaments that begin this week. The Tigers received the fifth seed in the regional bracket, meaning they will play at Osceola at 5 p.m. this Thursday. The winner of Thursday’s game will be in action again next Tuesday, facing the winner of Thursday’s clash between top-seeded Baldwin-Woodville and Amery.

Tags: sports, tigers, softball, prep