Recap
Blaine, MN — BLAINE, MN – The Norse Softball Team (11-10) picked up a pair of wins in three games on Monday as they competed in the Region 13 Crossover Tournament. The started off the day with a 6-3 win over Dakota College at Bottineau (4-8-1). After an extra innings loss to Rochester Community and Technical College (6-11) by a final of 4-3, the Norse rebounded with a 13-1 victory over Mesabi Range Technical and Community College.
In the opener the Norse used a big five-run second inning to take a commanding lead. The rally started with a bases loaded walk from Lexi Kacalo (FR, Marinette, WI). With two outs, Sarah Wynn (SO, Pitt Meadows, BC) drew another bases loaded walk for the second run of the frame. Rachael Winkel (FR, Silvis, IL) promptly unloaded the bases with a double to center, giving the Norse a 5-1 lead.
Winkel drove in an insurance run in the fourth with a two out single.
The Ladyjacks knocked in a solo homerun in the third, and a pair of singles to score in the fifth, but they would not be able to close the gap.
Winkel picked up the win, pitching four innings and giving up four hits and two runs. She struck out four and walked no one. Karlie Patron (SO, Ishpeming, MI) picked up a save with three innings in relief. She gave up one run on four hits and a walk while striking out three.
Wynn was two for four in the game with a triple and an RBI.
In the second game of the day the Norse met up with the Yellowjackets of RCTC for the fourth time in the young season. The three previous matchups in Myrtle Beach ended with Rochester taking two games.
The Yellowjackets started off the game with a bang as Journey Smith (SO, Tomah, WI) homered on a ball to center. They added to their lead with a bases loaded single in the top of the sixth.
Bay answered back in the bottom half of the inning. Avery Sorochan (FR, Two Hills, AB) hit a ball right back up the middle driving in two runs.
With the game knotted at two the teams went to the eighth. In the top half RCTC took advantage of a defensive miscue to plate a run. With two outs Bella Mehrkens (FR, Zumba Falls, MN) lined a double to center to make the score 4-2 in favor of the Yellowjackets.
Sorochan drove in a run with a sacrifice fly in the bottom half, but the Norse could not rally for another run, falling 4-3.
Wynn and Kacalo each had a pair of hits in four at bats, with Kacalo picking up two RBI.
Patron took the loss. She worked four innings in relief and gave up two runs, one unearned off of five hits. She struck out one.
The Norse offense jumped all over Mesabi Range in the finale. Rachael Winkel ended up with a big game. In four at bats she had a double, two homeruns, and seven RBI.
Natalie Belanger (FR, Rapid River, MI) also picked up three hits in three at bats with an RBI.
Bay blew the game open with an eight run second. The Norse had five hits in the inning, drew four walks, and took advantage of an error.
Jamison Ness (FR, Edmonton, AB), Belanger, and Brooke Gannon (FR, Edmonton, AB) combined to allow just one hit and one unearned run while giving up three walks and striking out nine.
The Norse continue on Tuesday with Anoka-Ramsey Community College, Mesabi Range Community and Technical College, and Dakota College at Bottineau.