Solid MVL stops Springfield: Pitchers throw one-hitter

By JEN SEAVEY

Journal Sports Editor

NEW ULM -- Minnesota Valley Lutheran played a solid game to shut out Springfield 6-0 in Tomahawk conference softball action Thursday.

MVL pitchers Kristi Klingler and Alissa Michels allowed the Tigers just one inning in which more than three players came to bat. On the flip side, MVL had only two innings in which three consecutive batters were retired.

Michels hit a triple to left-center to lead off the second inning then made it home on a passed ball to begin the scoring. Then after a base hit by Angie Meyer, Krystal Schwanke walked the bases loaded, setting up Klingler's three-RBI hit in the same gap in left. Klingler attempted to stretch the double into a triple but was tagged out.

"With the bases loaded, I knew my team was depending on me to get a hit, so I sat in the box and hit the one that had my name on it," Klingler said. "I just sort of hit the gap and coach was waving me around [saying] 'lets just try it,' so I did. I just didn't quite have my fast jeans on."

Klingler's out ended the inning for the Chargers, who were up 4-0.

Klingler pitched five innings of shutout ball, facing just 15 batters. Klingler struck out three batters. The only player to reach base got there on error.

"It helped me a lot pitching, with a solid 'D' behind me," Klingler said.

But in the sixth inning, the Tigers mounted a threat. Klingler struck out the first two batters in the sixth inning, then walked two and gave up a base hit to Springfield's Christa Reiner. MVL coach Julie Detjen relieved Klingler with Michels and the Chargers got out of the jam with a caught fly to short.

"We just needed to change the pace a little to keep them on their toes ... to keep them off the board," Klingler said.

The defense backed up Michels well also, catching two of the Tigers seven fly balls in the game.

"I think we struggled with hitting, but I think our defense was strong though," Reiner said. Reiner had the Tigers' only hit in the game. "I think we had bad pitch selection. We didn't take the pitches that were ours."

Despite the 6-0 loss, Reiner feels the Tigers did a good job on defense. Springfield nearly ended the sixth inning for the Chargers with a double play, but the throw from second to first was just late.

"We tried for a double play, with Naomi [Timm] and Kim [Weedman] -- it was a good try," Reiner said. "I thought we played a good game."

Schwanke struck out six batters and walked six in the loss for Springfield.

The Tigers (5-5, 2-4) host Springfield today, and the Chargers (5-2, 4-2) play today at St. Mary's.