89th Article at the Independent

SECTION 3A SOFTBALL: RTR goes 2-0, Wabasso earns split in section opener

CHRIS DRUMMOND

cdrummond@marshallindependent.com

TYLER — The Russell-Tyler-Ruthton, Wabasso and Lakeview softball teams all started their Section 3A tournament journey on Tuesday. RTR was able to stay in the winner’s bracket with a pair of victories while Wabasso split two games to drop into the consolation bracket and Lakeview fell in its only game.

The Knights’ first opponent was Lakeview. The Lakers’ pitching woes was exhibited in Tuesday’s contest as they walked multiple batters gifting the Knights runs on walks alone. The Knights also had timely hits throughout the game and made quick work of the Lakers, ending their season by a score of 12-2 in five innings. RTR starting catcher Laken Baartman drove in three RBIs that led the team. McKenzy Grunewald for the Lakers drove in their lone RBI. Lakeview head coach Chelsey Evans reflected on her team’s performance and season.

“Well pitching didn’t come out super strong plus bats came out a little slow, we saw this pitcher twice last week, knew what to expect but we just didn’t execute,” Evans said. “We have a young group of girls here, the more experienced we have, I believe the better we will be. I’m proud of the team, we will get a summer program together that will help us next season.”

Evans added that she learned from her first season as coach is to be flexible and bring more patience within herself into next season. She hopes she will also be able to add more players to their team as well.

The next game was the Wabasso Rabbits playing against the Adrian Dragons. The Rabbits got out to a huge lead by scoring seven runs in the first inning and would cruise from there to earn a 12-2 victory also in five innings. This would set up a matchup between RTR and the Rabbits to head to the quarterfinals of the Section 3A playoffs.

In the matchup between Wabasso and RTR, the Knights jumped out to a four-run lead over the Rabbits and RTR starting pitcher Kya Alderson was absolutely dominant in both pitching performances. Allowing a total of three runs in both games, Alderson also homered in the contest against the Rabbits and made it safely to base in every at-bat. She would also have 20 strikeouts combined in both games. Alderson spoke on her performance after the game.

“I think I moved the ball a lot and pitched hard all day,” Alderson said. “Hit my first home run today and this is probably our first time winning two sections games, we have to play hard and really stay focused going into Saturday.”

The Knights would score five more runs and would go on to victory over the Rabbits 9-1. Wabasso head coach Tiffany Eichten spoke on the split in Tuesday’s section play.

“We came right out the bat, we were energized, we got the momentum in the first game and we never looked back,” Eichten said. “In game two, we gave them the momentum, I feel that was the difference. We started off sluggish and their home-field advantage was a factor. We have to figure out how to use that as motivation instead of getting down on ourselves.”

Eichten added that the message to the team heading into the elimination bracket is that we’ve had tough competition all year and that they didn’t have any easy ones, which will set them up in this postseason.

An elated RTR head coach Darren Baartman advocated on his team’s performance in both contests resulting in victories.

“Our formula is pitch the ball well, hit the ball well and field the ball well,” coach Baartman said. “When you do those things well, you got a really good chance to win. I thought we did that well and it resulted in to two wins.”

Coach Baartman also elaborated on the message to his team heading into the quarterfinals of the tournament.

“Don’t be satisfied, don’t be complacent,” coach Baartman added. “We got more ball to play, enjoy the moment but let’s get ready for Saturday.”

The Lakeview Lakers have two seniors that played their final softball game in outfielder Alba Baquero and catcher/infielder McKenzy Grunewald. The Wabasso Rabbits will face off against Tracy-Milroy-Balaton in the elimination bracket of Section 3A in Marshall on Saturday at 1 p.m.

The Russell-Tyler-Ruthton Knights will face off against the Lac Qui Parle Valley Eagles in the quarterfinals of Section 3A winner’s bracket in Marshall on Saturday at 11 a.m.

Lakeview 000 20 – 2

RTR 304 5x – 12

Hitting: RTR (Burns 1-3; RBI, Bruns 2-3; Alderson 1-2; Baartman 1-3, 3 RBI; Klumper 1-1, RBI); Lakeview (Fiene 1-3; G. Rausch 1-3; McKenzy Grunewald 1-2, RBI; A. Rausch 1-2; Myha Grunewald 1-2).

Pitching (IP-R-ER-H-BB-SO): RTR (Alderson 5-2-1-5-0-7); Lakeview (Hinz 0-3-2-0-3-0; G. Rausch 4-9-9-6-8-1).

Wabasso 001 000 0 – 1

RTR 411 300 x – 9

Hitting: RTR (Bruns 2-4, RBI; Alderson 2-2, HR, 3 RBI; Mitchell 1-4; Baartman 3-4, 3 RBI; Buchert 1-4, RBI; Klumper 1-3, RBI); Wabasso (Fischer 1-3, Kittelson 1-3).

Pitching (IP-R-ER-H-BB-SO): RTR (Alderson 7-1-0-2-2-13); Wabasso (Avery Carlson 6-9-7-10-4-7).