BREWSTER -- On a bitterly cold day, the Worthington bats needed time to warm up Friday against Southwestern United.
But once they did, the Trojans exploded for 10 runs in the final two innings in a 14-1 victory in a non-conference softball game.
"We bounced back from yesterday's couple of tough losses," Worthington head coach Sam Baumgartner said. "We put some things together and played well enough to get a win."
Emily Ebbers earned the victory for the Trojans, allowing one run in six innings of work.
"She's just consistent and throws strikes and lets the defense play behind her," Baumgartner said. "That's all we want her to do, and she did that job today."
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Worthington's defense committed just one error, while the Trojan offense racked up 12 hits a day after losing a pair to Jackson County Central.
The Trojans (2-3) were able to score three times in the first inning, thanks to a 2-run single from Hannah Solem.
Lynn Harberts led off the first with a single, and Kaela Wiese and Carrie Timmerman each walked before Solem connected on a hit.
However, the Trojans were able to get runners on in the next three innings, but only Lydia Mick crossed the plate in those frames.
"We had three good innings defensively in a row, the second, third and fourth," SWU head coach Les Knutson said. "I think we gave up three runs in the first, but just one in the second, which was pretty good. Then in the third and fourth they didn't score."
Finally, in the fifth, Worthington came alive again. Solem led off with a double, and Jordan Wiertzema and Ebbers each walked to lead the bases.
Mick plated Solem with a groundout, and Lynn Harberts reached on an error -- scoring Wiertzema.
Wiese (three runs scored) later drove in Ebbers as the Trojans opened up a 7-0 lead.
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With two outs, Timmerman drove in two more with a single, giving Worthington a 9-0 lead after five innings.
"After you face a team like Jackson and the pitchers they have, and then turn around the very next day and you see an entirely different pitcher, it takes a little while to adjust," Baumgartner said. "It took a couple of innings to adjust, and after the first time through the order we started to make a little better contact."
Worthington sent 10 batters to the plate for the second consecutive inning in the sixth, and for the second straight time, plated five runs.
Again, it was Timmerman who delivered a big hit with runners on base.
The junior drove in two on a double, and gave the Trojans a 13-0 lead.
Kristen Dierks drove in Wiese later in the inning, pushing the lead to 14-0.
Determined not to be shut out, the Wildcats (0-5) rallied in the bottom of the sixth.
With one out, Anna Obermoller and Christine Kazemba each singled, and April Wallace walked to load the bases.
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Karen Schmitz hit into a fielder's choice, but Obermoller scored on the play, ending the shutout.
The Wildcats' rally fell short as Ebbers enticed a game-ending groundout, giving the Trojans a 14-1 victory in six innings.
"We didn't strike out too many times, and we hit the ball pretty decent," Knutson said. "It was kind of exciting in the last inning when we got back-to-back singles."
SWU will be at the Martin County West tournament today, while Worthington will host Fairmont Monday.
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WHS 310 055 -- 14 12 1
SWU 000 001 -- 1 3 5
