For an inning and a half Monday, nothing went the way of the Wright City softball team.
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For an inning and a half Monday, nothing went the way of the Wright City softball team.
Hosting Hermann, the Wildcats were able to quickly right the ship and turn a four-run deficit into a 14-4, five-inning win.
Senior pitcher Ava Swaringen, who entered the game to pitch in the top of the second and ultimately earned the win, said that the team had to let go of early struggles and persevere.
“I knew I needed to help my team out,” said Swaringen, who entered the game in relief of starting pitcher Emma Clubb. “I knew that if we could play good defense and if I could throw strikes, we could get back into the game.”
Wright City (10-13), indeed, got back into the game.
The Wildcats trailed just 4-3 headed into the bottom of the fourth inning. The team tallied seven runs in the frame to take control.
The biggest hit of the inning was a three-run home run by junior Lorelai Kellner. Kellner said that she and her teammates struggled early with the Bearcats’ pitching.
“We know that when we face slower pitchers than we’re used to, we have to stay back,” said Kellner of positioning in the batter’s box. “We just really want to hit the ball so much, we were all out in front. Ava threw strikes and the defense backed her up. We gave our (offense a chance). On it (the home run), it just hit the barrel of the bat, and I just knew.”
In total, Kellner collected a double, the home run and four RBI.
She was one of seven Wildcats with an RBI in the win.
Senior Anna Klekamp, who also provided an RBI, said that hitting the right pitches made a big difference for herself and her teammates.
“Pitch selection did make all the difference for us today,” Klekamp said. “I, personally, felt really good today. It’s good to be (fully) back. I sprained a ligament in my ankle and was in a boot. I’ve been back for a couple of weeks, but today I felt good.”
For his part, Wright City Coach Fred Ross said that the game was one of adjustments. The defense settled in and gave the offense the chance to go to work.
“Emma just wasn’t on tonight,” Ross said. “She’s been there for us throughout the season but tonight she just couldn’t get it in there. Ava came in, did what she needed to do and shut them out. On offense, we put the ball in play and good things happened.”
The win continues Wright City's run of dominance over Hermann.
The Wildcats have won 22 of 23 games all time against the Bearcats, with Monday’s win being the 12th in a row.
Wright City will play at home today (Thursday) against Wellsville-Middletown. First pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
