18-AND-UNDER SOFTBALL: Storm rain on Eagles 8-1, 16-1

WORTHINGTON — Worthington Area rained on Windom just before the clouds could Tuesday, as the Storm swept the Eagles in a doubleheader 8-1 and 16-1 in 18-and-under softball action in Worthington.

“What was working for us tonight was good pitching, strong batting, deep batting and also our short game when we got runners on,” Worthington Area coach Jim Kazemba said. “When we got runners on, we were able to get some bunts and move them around.”

The Storm came out firing in Game 1, plating three in the bottom of the first inning en route to an 8-1 win.

After Rachel Kontz (1-for-4, three runs, two stolen bases) hit a single and stole second and third base, Christine Kazemba (2-for-4, two runs, two RBIs) scored Kontz with a one-out single. Angela Robinson (2-for-4, two RBIs) scored Kazemba on a double and K.C. Riley scored Rebecca Kazemba (pinch runner) on an infield single to make it 3-0 Storm.

The Storm made three fielding errors in the top of the second, but Windom was only able to plate one run. Margaret Kispert scored on a grounder off the bat of Meegan Hanson for the lone run. The Eagles would get no closer to the Storm.

The Storm added one in the bottom of the third when Christine Kazemba started the inning with a triple and Robinson knocked her in with a single to make it 4-1.

The Storm blew open the game in the bottom of the fourth. Bailey Grussing started the inning with a walk and, after a sacrifice bunt from Stephanie Kazemba, Kontz reached on an error to put runners on the corners with one out. Rebecca Kazemba plated Amy Bents on an infield single, Christine Kazemba knocked in Kontz on a bunt and Rebecca Kazemba scored on a wild pitch to make it 7-1.

Rebecaa Kazemba (1-for-2, three runs, two stolen bases, RBI) would take over in the bottom of the sixth, walking then stealing second and third before scoring on a wild pitch to make it 8-1.

Robinson didn’t need much run support on the mound, as she gave up one hit and one walk, while striking out five, in her seven innings on the bump.

R H E

Windom 010 000 0 — 1 1 2

WA 301 3010 X — 8 7 7

Strom crush Eagles in Game 2

The Worthington Area Storm ended up winning the second game of the double header against the Windom Eagles with a score of 16-1 off of only 9 hits.

Worthington took advantage of stealing bases all night, compiling eight stolen bases.

The Storm got on the board first in the top of the first when a single by Rachel Kontz put a runner on base. After a walk to Christine Kazemba, Kontz stole third to put runners on first and third. Kontz took home on a wild pitch to make it 1-0 Storm.

With the bases full, Kayla Lonneman walked to bring in Kazemba for a 2-0 lead at the end of the first.

Windom would fire back when McKenzie Hopwood hit a double to left field to put a runner in scoring position for the Eagles. After a sacrifice bunt, Hopwood advanced to third. Hopwood scored on a wild pitch to cut the Storm lead to 2-1.

And from then on out, it was nothing but the Storm taking over.

With the bases loaded, Angela Robinson jacked a grand slam to dead center field to bring in four runs and extend the Storm’s lead to 6-1.

The Storm added two more runs in the top of the third, when the bases were again loaded.

Christine Kazemba grounded out, which brought in Stephanie Kazemba. And then a few batters later, with the bases still loaded, Kontz came in on a wild pitch to score to make it 8-1 Worthington.

With the game in their control, Worthington did not let up and added more runs in the fourth.

Worthington had two players hit by pitches and one walked to have the bags loaded once again.

Then, Lonneman and Amy Bents both came home on wild pitches to extend the lead to 10-1.

Later in the inning Robinson walked to score Kontz, and then Rebecca Kazemba took home on a wild pitch.

K.C. Riley hit a double to score two more runs and then two more runs came in shortly after to make it 16-1.

The Storm are now 6-2 on the season and will take on New Ulm Blue Thursday.

R H E

Windom 100 0 — 1 2 1

WA 242 8 — 16 9 0

16-and-under softball

Worthington sweeps Springfield

WINDOM — Worthington scored five runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to knock off Springfield 11-10 in Game 1 and was saved by the bell in Game 2, winning 14-10 in three innings in 16-and-under softball action Tuesday.

Paige Kinley hit a grand slam in Game 1 to give Worthington the win. Miranada LeBrun was 2-for-3 with a triple, Ida Rogers-Ferguson was 1-for-3 and got the win on the mound, Bailey Grussing was 1-for-1 with a homer and Rebecca Linder was 1-for-3 for Worthington (2-3).

In Game 2, Springfield had scored nine in the bottom of the third to cut the Worthington lead to 14-10 before the game was called due to time constraints.

Carly Byrne got the win on the mound, LeBrun was 2-for-2 and Kinley was 2-for-3 for Worthington.

Worthington will head to Sleepy Eye Thursday.

Game 1 R H E

Springfield 503 02 — 10 10 2

WGTN 051 05 — 11 6 2

Game 2 R H E

WGTN 374 — 14 10 8

Springfield 109 — 10 4 0

Tags: sports, prep, softball, windom, worthington