Owatonna Fastpitch Rides Two Big Innings to Victory

The Faribault Falcons Fastpitch team traveled to Morehouse Park in Owatonna today and saw a early 4-1 lead evaporate in the span of an inning.  The Huskies won 14-4 in 6 innings.

An error started the game for the Falcons.  After 8th grader Jamie Adamek executed a sacrifice bunt to get lead hitter freshman Reagan Drengenberg to second base, freshman catcher Olivia Smith hit an infield single.  Seniors Makenna Smith and Alli Velander clubbed RBI singles to plate two runs.

The Falcons could have scored more but one of them got picked off third base for the second out and the inning ended with a strikeout.

In the bottom of the first inning the lead batter, pitcher sophomore Katelyn Bentz took a 1-0 count pitch and crushed the softball over the centerfield fence just to the left of the scoreboard.

Faribault starting pitcher eighth grader Alayna Simon didn't let it rattle her getting out of the inning with no more damage done after throwing 8 total pitches,

In the top of the second inning Faribault seventh grader Amanda Cullen opened the inning with a 0-1 count double.  She scored when eighth grader Gabbie Boevers put down a bunt, the catcher threw wide of first base and Boevers ended up at second.

After the first out was recorded Adamek took a 1-0 count pitch up the middle for a single.  Olivia Smith then hit an RBI single to left field.  With one out and runners at second and third base it looked like the Falcons were in business for more runs but a strikeout and smash line out back to the pitcher ended the inning.

In the bottom of the second inning Owatonna opened with back to back singles by sophomore Paiton Glynn and freshman Mehsa Krause.  Following a pop out and line out it appeared Faribault might get out of the inning with no damage but Bentz crushed a double off the fence to plate two more run.

Senior Ana Laduke raked a triple to plate a run.  Junior Parris Hovden reached on an error.  Freshman Samantha Bogen loaded the bases.  Freshman Zoie Roush clubbed an 2 RBI single.  Ten people came to the plate.  6 runs scored on 6 hits and Owatonna never looked back.

Faribault hitting ended following a single to start the third inning by then Designated Player Emma Minnick.  The Falcons would have no more hits after that point.

Freshman Rylee Sietsema would come in to pitch in the bottom of the third inning.

Krause would start Owatonna with a single.  She was sacrificed to second base and would score on a bases loaded walk coaxed by  #3 hitter Hovden.

Drengenberg gained first base to start the 4th inning by being hit by a pitch.  She would steal second base and go to third on a wild pitch but would be stranded there.

Sietsema retired the Huskies in order in the bottom of the 4th.

Junior Parris Hovden would come in to pitch beginning in the 5th inning and appeared to overpower the Faribault hitters.  She faced the minimum 6 hitters with 3 strikeouts.

Meanwhile Owatonna would have another big inning in the 5th scoring 5 runs on 6 hits.  9 batters came to the plate.

Again the Falcons had a chance to get out of the inning with no damage but the Huskies got clutch two out hits.  Laduke crushed a RBI triple, Hovden hit a RBI single, Bogen hammered a RBI triple and Roush collected a double,

It was 13 to 4 going into the 6th inning.  Owatonna would score in the bottom of the 6th to end the game by the ten run rule.

The Cashwise Foods and Pharmacy of Owatonna delivery of the game performance was delivered by Bentz setting the hitting tone with a home run and double in her first two at bats and 3 RBI.

The Malecha's Auto Body of Faribault Crunch Time Peformer of the game was Boevers.  She made two outstanding catches by the fence in centerfield and following a catch got the ball quickly to home plate to not allow a run to score when the game was still in question.

Owatonna went to 9-7 overall and 9-4 overall with the win.  Faribault fell to 4-9 in both league play and overall.

The Huskies entertain Winona Monday while Faribault hosts Byron in a doubleheader at Alexander Park Tuesday,

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