Hornettes Softball Picks Up Two Wins
Senior Deidra Holzhauer pitched very well this week giving up just one run over two full games, and one suspended game. The Hornettes defeated Sparta 11-1 in five innings, and Lebanon 4-0. The Hornettes game against Carterville was suspended after four scoreless innings due to weather.
Weather played a big role in the Hornettes schedule this week, as they were able to complete two of their four scheduled games. The Hornettes stayed undefeated in conference play against Sparta, and defeated Lebanon in tough road matchups. The Hornettes had their game against Carterville suspended after four innings, and their game against Pinckneyville was rained out.
The Hornettes continued their strong play in the conference with a 11-1 win over Sparta in just five innings. The Hornettes got on the board early with a run in the first inning of play. Nashville was able to continue to score, getting runs in each inning of the game. Meanwhile, Deidra Holzhauer pitched a gem on the mound giving up just one run on one hit in the game. The big inning for the Hornettes came in the third inning as five runs crossed the plate. With one out in the inning, Karly Stanowski connected on a home run to extend the Hornettes lead. Four more runs would come around to score as, Brooke Burcham, Sophie Heck, and Libby Ahlers all had RBI singles in the inning. From there the Hornettes would cruise to an 11-1 victory.
Holzhauer on the mound had seven strikeouts in the game, her second highest total of the season. At the plate, Heck and Stanowski were the main producers as each finished with three RBIs in the win. Alli Liske finished with two hits for the Hornettes, and came around to score twice. Mackenzie McFeron, Holzhauer, Jordan Stiegman, Burcham, and Ahlers each grabbed a hit apiece. Paige Kasten walked and came around to score in the fourth inning.
The Hornettes were back in action on Thursday as they traveled to Carterville, in a rematch of last year's sectional final. After a scoreless, pitcher's duel, the game was suspended in the bottom of the fourth inning. The teams will continue the game on April 26.
The Hornettes continued their road swing, with a non-conference matchup against Lebanon. With strong winds, making it tough for both teams to score, the Hornettes were able to pull away late for a 4-0 victory. The Hornettes got their first run in the second inning, without getting a hit in the inning, as Stiegman reached on an error, and came around to score on a passed ball. The score would stay the same until the late innings, as Nashville scored one in the sixth, and two in the seventh to put the game away.
After the game Hornettes coach Shaun Renth talked about capitalizing on Lebanon's miscues in the game, “we took advantage of a few mistakes they made, and that's ultimately what won us the game, we managed to make all they plays, and were fortunate enough that they couldn't make the plays in key moments.”
Holzhauer pitched all seven innings for Nashville, giving up just eight hits, while striking out four batters completing the shutout. At the plate, McFeron led Nashville going 3-4 in the game with two runs scored and an RBI. Kasten and Liske also had two hits for Nashville in the win. Stanowski, Holzhauer, and Stiegman notched the other three hits in the ball game. The Hornettes record now stands at 8-4.
