MVAO TOURNAMENT

MVAO 10
Schaller-Crestland 0

   Defense was a key in a big win in the first game of the Earlybird Tournament in Mapleton. The Ram defense prevented the Wildcats from reaching home plate and allowed just 1 hit.
   Alyssa Sulsberger was the pitcher for the game. She struck out 5, walked 1, and allowed 1 hit. Third Baseman Rebecca Wilson stayed busy, catching 2 hits. Wilson, Second Baseman Steph Allen, and Shortstop Adrienne Elmquist showed their grounding and throwing skills, getting outs by throwing hits to First Baseman Whitney Honsbruch. Honsbruch also caught a fly ball to end the game.
   The Rams got on the board early with Adrienne Elmquist reaching base on balls. Alli Kirchgatter made it to first on an error. A sacrifice fly by Steph Petersen brought in Elmquist, and Kirchgatter came home by the hit made by Kristi Crilly. The ladies' bats were quieted for awhile, but they came alive in the fifth inning. Steph Allen started the inning by taking a hit from the pitcher. Avery Nepper was walked. The ladies stole bases to get in scoring position, and Allen came in on a sacrifice hit from Elmquist. Kirchgatter singled, while Petersen and Crilly reached on fielders choices. Crilly's hit got Nepper home. Janna Dose doubled, bringing in Kirchgatter, Petersen and Crilly. Wilson reached on an error as did Honsbruch. A single by Allen brought in the final two runs, and the Rams won via the 10-run rule.

MVAO 15
Alta 3

   The Rams used their bats and some patience to get on base and run up some serious runs against the Cyclones.
   In the first inning, Alli Kirchgatter reached on an error. She advanced to second when Steph Petersen singled. Kristi Crilly loaded the bases for Rebecca Wilson who singled and brought in Kirchgatter and Petersen.
   Steph Allen, Avery Nepper, and Kirchgatter got on base with singles at the beginning of the second inning; Allen used a wild pitch to steal home. The Wildcat pitcher had trouble hitting the strike zone and walked Petersen and Crilly which brought in Allen. Nepper stole home. Dose singled to get Kirchgatter home. Wilson walked, allowing Petersen to walk home. Honsbruch connected for a single and RBI as Crilly crossed the plate. Dose put another run on the board as she walked home when Allen was walked. Nepper also earned a free trip home. Wilson, Honsbruch and Allen chose to steal bases including home plate. Kirchgatter reached first on an error before the inning ended. At the end of the second, the Rams had a commanding 12-0 lead.
   The Wildcat defense kicked in for the third inning. Dose singled and made it home on steals and a passed ball. Honsbruch walked, but she couldn't benefit from the play as the inning ended.
   The Rams took their final turn at bat in the fourth inning. Adrienne Elmquist made it to first on an error. Kirchgatter reached on fielder's choice and came home compliments of a single from Petersen. Crilly walked. Dose and Wilson both singled to bring in Petersen and Crilly and make the final score 15-3.
   "We thought Alta might test us, but they elected not to pitch their number one pitcher which gave us the opportunity to score more runs then we probably would have," commented Coach Tim Hupke.
   Brittany Hermsen took command of the pitching duties during this game. Hermsen struck out 2, walked 1, and allowed 2 hits. Honsbruch and Brittany Hesse shared duties at first baseman. They caught grounders thrown from Third Baseman Dose, Second Baseman Allen, and Hermsen for put outs. A combination from Shortstop Elmquist to Allen generated another out. Honsbruch had the lone catch for the Rams.

MVAO 10
ArWeVa 6

   The Rams had to go into the seventh inning, the first time all day, before they were declared the winner in their final game of the day, and pitcher Sara Brouillette got a win in her record.
   The Ram bats were quiet until the fourth inning. Adrienne Elmquist got on base with a walk. Sammy Timmerman and Steph Petersen both singled, Petersen's hit bringing in Elmquist. A power triple hit by Janna Dose brought in Timmerman and Petersen. Dose came home compliments of a single from Rebecca Wilson, and Whitney Honsbruch singled.
   Singles in the fifth inning were very beneficial. Petersen and Kristi Crilly both singled, followed by a walk from Dose. Wilson whacked a solid single which got Petersen and Crilly home.
   Inning number six started with a single by Steph Allen, walk by Avery Nepper, and single by Elmquist to load the bases. Petersen nearly cleared the bases, but had to settle with a triple. Crilly helped Petersen home with a hit.
   "Anytime you win three games in one day, you have to be happy," said Coach Tim Hupke.
   The win put the team record at 5-2.