Cathedral routs

Wabasso 12-2

By BOB VARMETTE

Journal Sports Writer

NEW ULM -- In the not-too-distant past, a softball game between the Wabasso Rabbits and the New Ulm Cathedral Greyhounds was a battle. It was usually for the top spot in the Tomahawk Conference.

It showcased some of the best players in the area. It made for great competition.

But at present, the Rabbits are a team of the future. Cathedral capitalized upon Wabasso's youth to take a 12-2 win in five innings Monday afternoon at North Park.

The game was ended on the 10-run rule.

"We're really young," Wabasso coach John VanLoy said. "We didn't play well at all. Errors in the outfield, when the ball gets by the outfielders, it's just terrible. We threw the ball around in the infield a little bit. You can't do those things against a team like Cathedral.

"Someday, perhaps, we'll be able to return the favor."

Cathedral coach Bob Mertz doesn't discount that possibility.

"They're going to be tough in a couple of years, maybe next year even they'll be ready," Mertz said. "(VanLoy) has them doing the right things."

The Rabbits (4-5, 4-4 Tomahawk) are a work in progress. And there's much work to be done.

That's not unexpected when you graduate seven seniors, and you start three freshmen and one eighth-grader, and have no seniors on your squad.

It's all about learning.

"You go over things in practice," VanLoy said. "They don't appreciate the timing that has to be involved when you're in a ballgame. We just have to continue on, get them the experience."

Cathedral (7-1, 7-1) took advantage of seven errors by the Rabbits. Wabasso pitchers April Fennern (3-5) and Jessica VanLoy combined to walk seven Greyhounds.

The Greyhounds needed only five hits to score their 12 runs. Cathedral lead-off hitter Kristin Beranek and Nikki Fischer each had a pair of hits.

Beranek went 2-for-3 and scored three runs. Fischer was 2-for-4 with three RBI, and hit the game-ending double that scored a pair of runs.

The Rabbits' inexperience also showed at the plate. Wabasso got just two hits off Amber Franta (6-1), both coming in the top of the third inning when the Rabbits scored both of their runs; only one run was earned.

"(Franta) got people to pop out or hit it to the infielders," Cathedral catcher Abby Hofmeister said. "Amber was working her pitches really well. Her changeup was working awesome."

Franta struck out six, including the side in the top of the fifth inning.

The Rabbits did have some fight early, though. Cathedral led 3-0 after the first inning, but Wabasso got the margin down to 3-2 in the top of the third.

It appreared that this could be yet another battle between the two teams. But the Greyhounds answered with two runs in the home half of the third -- neither of the runs were earned; Wabasso committed four errors in the inning.

Cathedral extended its lead to 7-2 in the fourth inning. Kyley Hillesheim and Beranek reached on consecutive infield singles after Shelly Waibel drew a one-out walk. Waibel and Hillesheim later scored.

Fennern did not come out for the fifth. Jessica VanLoy, after walking Franta to lead off the inning, got the next two outs. But Jessica VanLoy then put the next five batters on base, hitting two and walking three.

After issuing the final of her four walks, Jessica VanLoy left and Fennern re-entered. Fischer, who singled in the Greyhounds' three-run first, then sent a 1-2 pitch to the gap in left, scoring Hofmeister and Beranek to end the game.

"I thought we played well, we ran the bases well," Mertz said. "I thought we took advantage of every situation. ... We played pretty good defense. We really didn't have a chance to make a lot of plays tonight because Amber and Abby pretty much took charge."

Wabasso at will be at Buffalo Lake-Hector today. Cathedral will play at Sleepy Eye High, also today.

In the junior varsity game, Cathedral topped Wabasso 11-1 in five innings. The game was ended by the 10-run rule.

Krissy Dittrich got the win, throwing a two-hitter. She struck out five and walked none.

Dittrich, Kristen Dietz and Heather Schmitz all hit doubles for the Greyhounds.

WABASSO 002 00-- 2 2 7

CATHEDRAL 302 25--12 5 1

Two out when game called on 10-run rule

Ap.Fennern, VanLoy (5), Ap.Fennern and An.Fennern. Franta and Hofmeister. W--Franta 6-1. L--Ap.Fennern. 2B--Cathedral, Fischer. 3B--None. HR--None.

Ap.Fennern pitched to one batter in the fifth inning.