NEW GLARUS - Pecatonica finally pulled the bats out of the bags in a 16-4 softball win over New Glarus in five innings Thursday.
"We were a little more aggressive today," Vikings head coach Chuck Meyer said. Pecatonica swiped numerous bags and took the extra base when able.
"We definitely held our emotions well. We didn't get to up or down. We stayed level. I was impressed."
Pecatonica struck early, plating seven runners in the first inning. But the Vikings didn't get their first hit until sophomore leadoff hitter Ellie Gifford stood back in the box for the second time through the order in the inning.
"I don't know how many young teams can come back from 9-0," New Glarus head coach Robert Wahl said. "We are so young, with only one real experienced player back this year. It really makes it hard. We're playing a lot of freshmen."
Freshman Maci Watrud struggled on the mound in the first inning, allowing five walks and retiring just one batter. She was tagged for six runs in the inning before being relieved by Maegan Roselein.
"We settled down after the first two innings. It was only a 6-4 game after that," Wahl said. Roselein pitched the final 6 2/3 innings.
Gifford was 2-for-4 at the plate with a walk, home run, and four runs scored, all while holding New Glarus to four runs on just five hits while striking out three.
Pecatonica's Kristin Johnson had a splendid day at the dish, finishing 3-for-5 with all three hits going for extra bases. Abby Smith-Krauser had a hit and two walks and Katie Moen had two walks and was hit by a pitch.
"We've struggled at the plate in all the other games this year, and the girls put it in play," Meyer said.
"(Our girls) have been putting in extra time with their hitting and are really paying attention to how they go about at-bats. That's a credit to them. I hope they see the results and keep at it."
Errors plagued the young Glarner Knights. New Glarus allowed six runners to reach base because of dropped pop-ups and poor throws. The total number of miscues was even larger, as multiple errors came during plays.
"We made some mental mistakes. But with a team as young as we are, that will happen," Wahl said.
The Vikings struggled at times, too, but Meyer was waiting for his team to pop out of its shell before Easter.
"It's our first win of the year. We'll take it. However, this game wasn't exactly perfect, we had our share of errors and mistakes. We are still waiting to put it all together."
Pecatonica hosts Black Hawk on Tuesday, April 14, and New Glarus hosts Cambridge the same evening.
"We were a little more aggressive today," Vikings head coach Chuck Meyer said. Pecatonica swiped numerous bags and took the extra base when able.
"We definitely held our emotions well. We didn't get to up or down. We stayed level. I was impressed."
Pecatonica struck early, plating seven runners in the first inning. But the Vikings didn't get their first hit until sophomore leadoff hitter Ellie Gifford stood back in the box for the second time through the order in the inning.
"I don't know how many young teams can come back from 9-0," New Glarus head coach Robert Wahl said. "We are so young, with only one real experienced player back this year. It really makes it hard. We're playing a lot of freshmen."
Freshman Maci Watrud struggled on the mound in the first inning, allowing five walks and retiring just one batter. She was tagged for six runs in the inning before being relieved by Maegan Roselein.
"We settled down after the first two innings. It was only a 6-4 game after that," Wahl said. Roselein pitched the final 6 2/3 innings.
Gifford was 2-for-4 at the plate with a walk, home run, and four runs scored, all while holding New Glarus to four runs on just five hits while striking out three.
Pecatonica's Kristin Johnson had a splendid day at the dish, finishing 3-for-5 with all three hits going for extra bases. Abby Smith-Krauser had a hit and two walks and Katie Moen had two walks and was hit by a pitch.
"We've struggled at the plate in all the other games this year, and the girls put it in play," Meyer said.
"(Our girls) have been putting in extra time with their hitting and are really paying attention to how they go about at-bats. That's a credit to them. I hope they see the results and keep at it."
Errors plagued the young Glarner Knights. New Glarus allowed six runners to reach base because of dropped pop-ups and poor throws. The total number of miscues was even larger, as multiple errors came during plays.
"We made some mental mistakes. But with a team as young as we are, that will happen," Wahl said.
The Vikings struggled at times, too, but Meyer was waiting for his team to pop out of its shell before Easter.
"It's our first win of the year. We'll take it. However, this game wasn't exactly perfect, we had our share of errors and mistakes. We are still waiting to put it all together."
Pecatonica hosts Black Hawk on Tuesday, April 14, and New Glarus hosts Cambridge the same evening.
