Eagles advance with 10-2 win over Marshall

By ANDY ROGERS

Journal Sports Editor

NEW ULM -- The New Ulm Eagles softball team got what it needed in the first inning.

The New Ulm High scored seven runs in the first en route to a 10-2 win over Marshall in the first round of the Section 2-3A tournament.

"We're ready to go," Eagles coach Jim Pearson said. "It was a nice tune-up for tomorrow night."

The team will travel to North Mankato today to take on the winner between Orono, who the Eagles defeated 3-1 earlier this year, and Chaska at Caswell Park at 5 p.m.

The Eagles held Marshall to three hits, all coming off pitcher Cassie Schultz. Marshall's pitcher Terri Klein gave up 10 hits to Eagle batters.

Schultz allowed two walks, struck out one, and allowed both runs in three innings. Jocelyn Janni relieved Schultz in the third and pitched a perfect final four innings. She struck out three and allowed nothing.

"We wanted to give both kids a look tonight," Pearson said. "Instead of just sitting around all weekend I wanted them to throw a little bit tonight. They'll each get a game (tonight)."

Klein pitched all six innings for Marshall. She struck out two, walked seven and allowed 10 runs -- eight earned.

Marshall loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the first, but the Eagles gave up just one run with the help of a double play. Marshall scored with sacrifice fly by Nikki Nordstrom.

"I like how we came out in the first inning and scored a run," Marshall coach Jack Houseman said.

In the bottom of the first, the Eagles almost went through the entire order before getting an out. Although, the No. 9 hitter, Cassandra Hibbard, got out on a sacrifice fly, it scored a run.

The first seven members of the starting lineup scored a run.

"They made a few mistakes in that inning that helped us get a few more at bats," Pearson said.

With the help of some aggressive baserunning and overthrows, Christine Wendinger got the inning started with a two-run homerun.

"We had a little snowball fight there that didn't help us," Houseman said.

The Eagles got some insurance with single runs in the second, fourth and fifth innings.

"We're still playing aggressive on the base path that's helping us -- that's our style of play," Pearson said.

The Eagles' Nikki Williams went 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI and a run scored. Kayla Farasyn went 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Allison Boddy went 1-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored.

In the second, Marshall's Kirstin Beesch led off with a home run, but that was the second to last hit for Marshall. Leadoff hitter Gracie Henderson went 2-for-3 with a triple in the third inning.

This wasn't a tough loss for Marshall, as this was the team's second varsity season.

"We're just trying to get games in," Houseman said. "We have a young squad, and we're just graduating two. We're young and we're learning the game."

Three players have moved up from the 'B' squad for the play offs "to give them a chance and a look," according to Pearson. Danelle Bode, Amy Waldner and Ali Bernard were each called up, and each got in the game against Marshall.

Because this is a round-robin tournament, win or lose in the second round, the team will play again 20 minutes following the first game at Caswell. And unless the team loses both games, they will play again on Thursday.

Marshall 110 000 0 -- 2

New Ulm High School 710 110 x -- 10