Indees explode to beat Hornets, fall late to Eagles

The Independence/Gilmanton softball team broke through for its first win of the season and nearly picked up another, but lost in the bottom of the seventh.

The Indees broke through with 14 runs in a shutout win over Alma Center Lincoln last week Tuesday. On Friday, the team was at least in position to send the game to extra innings, but Alma/Pepin scored in the bottom of the seventh for the 5-4 win.

I/G began this week with a 1-6 record before two road nonconference games against Eau Claire Regis on Monday and Arcadia on Tuesday. They’re slated to play in Whitehall on Thursday and at Eau Claire Immanuel Lutheran on Friday. This coming Tuesday, they’re set to play at Blair-Taylor before taking on Melrose-Mindoro next Thursday. 

I/G 14 AC Lincoln 0

The Indees got their bats going early, taking control of the game with eight runs in the third inning. 

I/G got RBI hits from Catherine Kampa and Katelyn Kampa in the first inning and Catherine Kampa hit into a fielder’s choice to bring home another run in the second.

The Indees took control of the game in the third, scoring eight runs with two outs. The team hit four consecutive RBI singles starting with Leah Stegerwald followed by Hadley Sylla, Hannah Ekern and Catherine Kampa. Katelyn Kampa then doubled in a run and Danika Ekern hit into an error that brought two more home to put I/G ahead 11-0.

Danika Ekern, Sarah Roskos and Breely Kampa had consecutive RBI singles in the fifth to put I/G ahead by the final.

The Indees had 13 hits as a team with Roskos, Danika Ekern, Katelyn Kampa, Catherine Kampa and Hannah Ekern all collecting two. Catherine Kampa had three RBIs and Katelyn Kampa had two.

Hannah Ekern was in control in the circle, striking out seven while allowing four hits and two walks. 

P/A 5 I/G 4

The Eagles scored in the bottom of the seventh to get the win.

I/G tied the game in the top of the seventh when Hadley Sylla doubled and scored on a single by Hannah Ekern. But the Eagles didn’t need a hit to get the win in the bottom half of the inning. A leadoff walk was followed by two intentional walks. After a pop-up in the infield for the first out, a run scored on an error during the same play. 

Two walks and a triple put the Eagles ahead 2-0 in the first inning. I/G’s first two runs scored on wild pitches then Katelyn Kampa homered to put the team ahead 3-2. 

A two-run home run put the Eagles back ahead, 4-3, in the fourth.

The Indees had six hits in the game as Sylla and Katelyn Kampa both had two.

Hannah Ekern took the loss, striking out nine while walking 12 and allowing three hits.