WHS SOFTBALL: Trojans cruise by Wildcats 11-1

WORTHINGTON — Worthington’s softball team made quick work of Southwestern United Friday, knocking off the Wildcats 11-1 in five innings at Centennial Field.

“We played well as a team and we really connected,” WHS pitcher Angela Robinson said. “It took some adjusting to get used to their pitcher, but once we got used to her, we hit the ball well.”

It didn’t take too long for the Trojans to get used to the pitching. Five batters into the ballgame, WHS’s Jenny Majerus ripped a two-run homer over the left field fence to open up the scoring.

Majerus set her goals pretty low for the inning.

“My goal was to not strike out that inning, but I’ll take the home run instead,” Majerus said. “I didn’t even know I hit a home run until my coaches told me.

“It felt amazing. I think this game will help build our confidence and it’s a great opportunity for our team moving forward.”

Majerus’ coach had a little more confidence in her than she did.

“She’s got that ability,” WHS coach Sam Baumgartner said. “She’s getting more and more confident at the plate and it’s showing.

“She’s hitting the ball with some authority. It helped keep the momentum for us."

Majerus’ first career home run was not the only scoring in the top of the second for Worthington. The Trojans scored four two-out runs to take a commanding 6-0 lead at the end of the frame.

A single by Paige Kinley scored Rebecca Linder to make it 3-0, K.C. Riley walked with the bases loaded and Robinson drove in Kinley and Barragan with a single to make it 6-0.

“We just need to be more consistent, especially with our defense,” SWU coach Cindy Owen said. “They scored a couple times with two outs.

“We need to be able to stop them with two outs.”

With one out in the top of the fourth inning, Barragan, Riley and Robinson laced three singles in a row with Barragan scoring on Robinson’s base hit to make it 7-0 Trojans. Kari Suby would score on an error to make it 8-0.

A single by Suby in the top of the fifth scored Aleanna Heig to make it 9-0 and Riley ripped a two-run single, scoring Suby and Kinley to make it 11-0 Trojans.

Robinson didn’t need much on the mound, pitching five innings, striking out five, while giving up two hits and no walks.

“This was our confidence booster game,” Robinson said. “Next game (versus Murray County Central), we will come back with more confidence and try to win that one too.

“MCC has beaten us the last couple years, so we’re out to get them this year.”

Conor DeWall scored on an error in the top of the fifth, but it was too little too late for SWU (1-7).

“We weren’t able to hit,” Owen said. “We need to be more aggressive in the batter’s box.

“We have improved through the season. The score doesn’t always show that, but the kids have been working hard and that’s all I can ask of them.”

Worthington (4-3) takes a three-game winning streak into its matchup at MCC Monday.

WHS 060 23 — 11 13 2

SWU 000 0 1 — 1 2 3

Daily Globe Sports Editor Chris Murphy can be reached at 376-7328.

Tags: southwestern united, sports, prep, softball, trojans