Mankato Mintz cool down NU Chill

By JEN SEAVEY

Journal Sports Editor

NEW ULM -- The New Ulm 18-under Chill's five errors certainly didn't help them as the Mankato Mintz broke a 5-5 tie in the seventh to win 6-5 in softball action Thursday.

Errors in the fourth, fifth and seventh innings, as well as a passed ball in the fourth inning helped Mintz runners score.

"I think we usually do pretty good on defense, but I know in the outfield there were a couple of bad hops, and I bumbled one," Chill second baseman Rachel Kitzberger said. "The little things add up."

The Chill also started out slowly offensively, as Mintz pitcher Cassie Huettl struck out three batters in the first two innings. Huettl gave up eight hits and walked one.

"It takes a while for us to get used to it," Kitzberger said. "Once we see one person get a hit, we get a rally going. Our self esteem goes up and we feed off of one another."

In the bottom of the third, behind 1-0 after an RBI double by Lindsey Richter, who went two-for-3 in the game, New Ulm got on the board.

Liz Miheve's RBI single scored Jenna Schugel, then Martha Beatty hit the ball to left field to put the Chill ahead 2-1, scoring Miheve. Beatty went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, and Miheve went 2-for-3.

In the fourth inning, Chill starting pitcher Kristi Klingler gave up a hit and walked the second batter, then was hit in the leg with a ground ball that scored the Mintz second run of the game. With two runners on, Sam Bode relieved Klingler.

Before the first out, a passed ball and miscommunication allowed two to score to give the Mintz a 4-2 lead before Sam Bode struck out two and the Chill got out of the situation.

Klingler gave up two runs, one walk and five hits, striking out one. Sam Bode went the last four innings, giving up four hits, four runs and striking out three.

In the bottom of the inning, Jackie Bode drove a hit down the third base line to score Becky Hosna running for Abby Bartels, who had walked. Bartels went 2-for-3.

Then, after Beatty executed a double play in the sixth, Kitzberger came up with a big hit for New Ulm. She pounded the ball to left center for a triple, setting the Chill up for a two-run inning. Kitzberger tagged and scored on a Beatty fly ball, and Amanda Bode later scored when Mankato third baseman overthrew third base to tie the game at five.

"It was time for me to hook up [for a big hit]," Kitzberger said. "I was doing well in the New Ulm tournament, but after that, I've been in a big slump.

"To get the one big hit felt really good," she said.

The Mintz' Marie Altenburg reached on error in the seventh and was hit home by a base hit by Jenna Reichel, who went 3-for-4. New Ulm could not counter in the bottom of the seventh.

"They're probably our second top competition, after the Mankato Peppers," Kitzberger said. "To play them close and lose by one is really good for us."

The Chill hosts St. Peter at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Jefferson Field 2.

Results of Game 2 were not available at press time.