May 13, 2016 at 1:58 p.m.
Vikings edge Dodgers at softball invite
They lost to their hosts 5-3 in the opener then were shut out by Oregon 5-0 in the finale.
Viking pitcher Jayden Holman won the battle of freshman pitchers who both allowed only five hits.
Holman struck out nine and waked seven while giving up three earned runs.
Dodger Lindsey Murphy fanned six, walked four and allowed five earned runs.
An error, two walks, a fielders chioce and a single by Gabrielle Couthard plated three Viking runs in the first.
They added another in the third with Ellie Kellesvig singling and Taylor Payne plating her with a double.
Their final tally came in the fifth as Couthard was hit by a pitch and scored on two groundouts.
Lexi Hellenbrand and Paige Ramos had the other hits for Mount Horeb.
Ellie Argall had two hits, including a double, with Alicia Benson having two singles and Nicole Jones one.
"This was an interesting game as it matched a pair of Freshman pitchers against each other. Both threw well but as with most young pitchers, both struggled with control at times," said Dodger coach Gene Van Dyck. "Lindsey ran into trouble in the first inning giving up only 1 hit but allowing 3 runs, 2 BB and 3 wild pitches. We then scored 3 in the 7th inning on only 2 hits but 4 BB and left the bases loaded.
"Defensively, we were again very strong but for the second game in a row did not hit the ball hard. Ellie Argall again had a good day at the plate going 2x4 with a double. Only 3 players had hits and you can't score many runs hitting like that."
Against Oregon, again the Dodgers could only manage five hits - but this time they couldn't score.
Argall was 2x3 with a double and was thrown out at the plate in the fourth trying to score on a groundout.
Allison Dougherty led off the game with a single, with Argall having a one baser with one out, but the two were left stranded.
Katie Cushman singled in the fifth and was left at second and Maci Swiggum singled with two outs in the second and was gunned down trying to swipe second.
Jones went six innings and took the loss allowing five runs on 10 hits. She struck out two and walked two.
Knaack fanned a pair without a walk in earning the win.
Zander was 3x4 and Schmidt 2x4 to lead their offense.
Van Dyck said about the game, "This was a very disappointing game. While the Mt Horeb pitcher was a quality pitcher, the Oregon pitcher was average at best. Getting shut out by her was just a poor performance on our part. Ellie Argall again went 2x3 with a double but that was pretty much it.
"Defensively, we had a really solid game with no errors and several really nice defensive playes by different players. Kara Crowley made 3 or 4 really nice plays at SS. Maci Swiggum, Courtney Miess and Alicia Benson each made a really nice play in the game too."
