There was never a feeling the game was over. Neither team’s pitching was strong. The only fence was of the men’s slow-pitch variety. Runs were going to score. A 7-run second and an 8-run third had Houston softball up 15-5 on Mabel-Canton. Alyssa Rostad, Richelle Botcher (doubles), and Amber Chapel (ITP-HR) each had three-run hits. The ‘Canes led 15-8 after 6 ½. In M-C’s bottom, eight straight batters reached (Payton Danielson 2-run single, Avery Arneson 2-run double). With it 15-13 (bases loaded), Coranda Vickerman’s high-fly ball found green, plating the tying runs. The Cougars had runners on second and third with one out. Houston lived to play extras (15-15). In M-C’s eighth, Danielson burned the right fielder for a lead-off triple and Arneson burned the left-fielder for the game-winning RBI-single. M-C downed Houston 16-15! Vickerman (5-6, two 2B, 4 RBI, 3 R), Danielson (4-6, 3B, 3 RBI, 2 R), Arneson (3-6, 2B, 3 RBI, 2 R), Lexi Thorson (3-5, RBI, R), and Kenidi McCabe (3-5, 2 RBI, 2 R) led M-C. Harley McCabe got the win. Becca Lee (3-5, 3B, RBI, R) and Gretchen Hill (3-5, 3 RBI, 2 R) aided Houston (1-3, 3-5). M-C also swept a deuce with L/P, 12-2 in five (Vickerman 3-4, 2B, 3B, 2 RBI, 2 R; H. McCabe 3-3, 5 IP, Win; Kayla Patterson 2-4, 2 RBI, R) and 11-1 (Vickerman 3-4, 3 RBI, 3 R; Danielson 2-4, HR (ITP); Arneson 2-4, 2 RBI; Patterson 2-4, 2 RBI, 7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, Win). Led by Vickerman (11-14, 9 RBI, 8 R), M-C (2-2, 5-3) goes 3-0 on the week.
About Paul Trende
Sports Reporter
sports@fillmorecountyjournal.com