Randolph Softball Victorious Over Kenyon-Wanamingo

Randolph centerfielder Wendy Splichal scored three runs and her younger sister Andrea added another as the Rockets downed Kenyon-Wanamingo 7-2 Friday night.

It was a very competitive contest in the warm, windy conditions.

Wendy had three hits, a double and two singles, and stole third twice while scoring every time she was on base. Andrea, a sophomore, also had two hits and an RBI.

Randolph took a 2-0 lead in the top of the third and realistically should not have scored either of the runs.

Splichal started the game with a fly ball to right on an 0-2 count that was misjudged and scored in the third inning on an error.

Senior Alexa Thesing started the game in the pitching circle for Randolph and had a no-hitter after three innings. The only base runners for Kenyon-Wanamingo in those innings were two walks.

Rocket coach Mike Trom brought in freshman Lindsey Grant to finish the game and the first batter she faced in the top of the fourth inning got a hit. Knight senior Katelyn Knott greeted her with a hit and scored from second on an RBI single by freshman designated hitter Emma Berquam.

Berquam gained second base on a wild pitch and was sacrificed to third on a bunt laid down by senior Sara Sahl. Berquam was stranded at third to end the fourth and it was 2-1 Randolph.

The Rockets answered with a pair of runs in the top of the fifth.

Wendy Splichal was retired for the only time to start the fifth inning but back-to-back singles put Randolph in business.

The bases were loaded after a fielder's choice then Thesing tallied an sacrifice fly RBI and Mary Emery followed with an RBI single.

Randolph scored another run in the sixth, with one out Wendy Splichal singled, was sacrificed to second, stole third and Andrea Splichal brought her home with a single.

Kenyon-Wanamingo made it 5-2 when Berquam started the sixth inning with a solid single. She went to second on a wild pitch and advanced to third following a ball hit on the right side of the infield.

After a strikeout, Berquam was at third with two outs when Kayla Knott smacked an RBI single.

The Rockets added a couple of insurance runs in the top of the seventh. Thesing opened the inning with a single; Emery followed with another single.

Seventh-grader Megan Erickson crushed a double to clear the bases and it was Randolph 7, Kenyon-Wanamingo 2.

Kenyon-Wanamingo junior pitcher Brandi Remold struck out five and walked two.

She also hit a batter and allowed 12 Randolph hits. Two were fly balls to the outfield that probably should have been caught, but you can't assume anything while keeping score.

Remold finished with 101 pitches and 69 were strikes. She threw 27 of 37 first-pitch strikes.

Our Sviggum Insurance Agency of Wanamingo Knights of the game were Berquam, Katelyn Knott and Brittany Wood.

Knott made an outstanding diving catch in the first inning to go along with her single and run scored. Berquam had a pair of hits, an RBI and run scored. Wood made two very nice catches of scorched balls to third base.

Randolph is now 9-5 and hosts Medford at 5PM Monday and Kenyon-Wanamingo is 2-7 with a busy week on the road next week.

The Knights travel to Rochester Lourdes on Tuesday for a 4:30PM game and then are at Byron on Wednesday and Waterville-Elysian-Morristown on Friday.

Saturday Kenyon-Wanamingo is participating in a tournament at Hayfield.

Kenyon-Wanamingo & Randolph after National Anthem.

K-W Pitcher Brandi Remold

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