The Minnewaska Area softball team was finally able to take the field for a game last Tuesday night, hosting a game with West Central Area.  The good news for the Lakers is that Minnewaska Area scored at least one run in all six innings of action.  The bad news is that WCA scored at least two runs in every inning, eventually winning the high-scoring opener, 20-10.

The Lakers were also set to host Morris Area for a game, Thursday, but that game has been pushed back as part of a doubleheader at Morris, May 9.  In addition, Minnewaska Area had its Saturday tournament postponed to a later date yet to be determined.

This week, the Lakers were set to play at NLS, Tuesday (tomorrow) before hosting Sauk Centre for a doubleheader, Thursday, April 27.

WCA 20, Minnewaska 10

WCA belted out 19 hits, including one homerun, to beat the Lakers in the softball opener last Tuesday night at home, 20-10.

The Lakers stayed close for most of the game, trailing 12-8 after four innings, but the Knights put the game away with a pair of four-run innings in the fifth and sixth innings to end the game early due to the 10-run rule.

Emma Poegel led the Lakers’ offense, going 2-for-3 with three runs scored, a double, stolen base and hit-by-pitch.  

Also registering hits for Minnewaska Area were Grace Larson, Ella Roering, Emara Sanow and Lauren Stryhn.

The Lakers also had the benefit of nine walks and stole seven bases.  Jenna Drewes scored two of her team’s 10 runs, while Leslie Murken, Larson, Stryhn, Mataya Mix and Mesa Kittelson also scored runs for Minnewaska.

All nine starters for WCA had at least one hit, including Haley Foslien, who was 4-for-4 with four runs, three RBI and a double.

Mataya Mix took the complete-game loss on the mound for Minnewaska.  She allowed 19 hits, 16 earned runs and nine walks with four strikeouts.

Varsity softball roster

The head coach of the Lakers this season is Jason Weber, who is assisted by Jacalyn Skoglund, Abby VerSteeg, Dave Moe and Chip Rankin. 

This year’s varsity softball roster includes seniors Leslie Murken (ss, 3b, of, p) and Kylee Klassen (of); juniors Jenna Drewes (of), Grace Larson (c, 3b, 1b, of), Ally Mogard (2b), Melanie Lara (of), Emara Sanow (of) and Trelana Johnson (of); sophomores Morgan Meyer (of, c), Lauren Stryhn (1b), Mataya Mix (p, 1b) and Annahbelle Ernst (of); and ninth-graders Mesa Kittelson (2b, of), Ella Roering (ss, 3b, 2b), Ava Staples (c, p, of, 1b) and Emma Poegel (c, 3b, of).

Members of the JV team for 2023 are juniors Xi Li, Melanie Lara, Emara Sanow, Trelana Johnson and Chloe Lannes; sophomores Morgan Meyer, Lauren Stryhn, Annabelle Ernst and Brooklyn Armstrong; and ninth-graders Stacey Kangas, Mahry Wiegman, Carly Jergenson, Mesa Kittelson, Paige Lannes, Ella Roering, Kendyll Jenson and Ava Staples.

WCA 20, at Lakers 10

WCA 3 3 2 4 4 4 — 20 19 1

Waska (0-1) 1 2 1 4 1 1 — 10 6 5

HITTING:  WASKA-Emma Poegel 2-for-3, 3 runs, double, hbp sb; Grace Larson 1-for-3, 1 run, RBI, sb, bb; Ella Roering 1-for-3, RBI, sb, bb; Emara Sanow 1-for-1, RBI, bb; Lauren Stryhn 1-for-3, 1 run, sb; Jenna Drewes 0-for-2, 2 runs, RBI, 2 sb, 2 bb; Leslie Murken 0-for-2, 1 run, 2 bb; Mataya Mix 0-for-2, 1 run, sb; Mesa Kittelson 0-for-1, 1 run, sb, bb; Trelana Johnson 0-for-0, hbp . . . WCA-A. Sykora 3-for-5, 1 run, 4 RBI; C. Stark 3-for-6, 3 runs, RBI, M. Foslien 3-for-5, 3 runs, RBI; H. Foslien 4-for-4, 4 runs, 3 RBI; K. Nibbe 1-for-4, 1 run, 3 RBI, 3-run HR

PITCHING:  (ip-h-r-er-bb-so):  WASKA-Mataya Mix (L, 0-1)  6-19-20-16-9-4 . . . WCA– UA

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