Hawks pile up the runs late to down South O’Brien
Entering the fifth inning of its softball game with South O’Brien, Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn had been unable to convert scoring chances. That changed in a big way. HMS posted a dozen runs to the scoreboard over the final three innings to claim a 12-7 War Eagle Conference victory over the Wolverines May 31 at Paullina.
The home team tallied three times in the second inning. The Hawks moved in front with four runs in the top of the fifth. In the bottom of the inning South O’Brien scored twice to retake the lead at 5-4. The lead changed hands again in the sixth as HMS got two runs. The Hawks then added six more runs in the seventh to go in front 12-5. The Wolverines’ attempted rally was cut short after two runs were scored.
HMS banged out 15 hits in the game. Five different players each hit a double. Pitcher Gracie Knobloch went all seven innings, striking out 14 and allowing just four hits. The Hawks were guilty of only two errors.
“The girls came to play tonight,” observed Hawk head coach Stephanie Bronstad. “We had a few rocky moments but the bats came alive, Gracie pitched well, and our defense took care of it on the field. Great start to the week!”
Kinsey Schirmer and Knobloch were each 3-for-5 at the plate with a double. Schirmer knocked in three runs and scored twice. Knobloch recorded two RBI’s and a run scored. Cadence Klein went 2-for-3 with a double and two walks, drove in a run and scored two. One of Bailey VerHelst’s two hits was a seventh-inning double that scored a run.
Meghan Larson doubled, reached on an error and scored two runs. Pinch hitter Delaney Murphy delivered an RBI single in the seventh and came around to score. Abby Otto singled, walked and scored twice. Abby Kunzman notched a single and also scored a run after reaching base on an error. Eliza Tewes had a second-inning single. Addison Sheeler tallied a run after getting on base by way of an error.
Knobloch walked eight batters and hit one. Only three of the seven runs she allowed were earned. There were just five earned runs in the game, due in part to eight errors, six by South O’Brien.
HMS 0 0 0 0 4 2 6 – 12
S. O’Brien 0 0 3 0 2 0 2 – 7