Story originally printed in the Winona Daily News or online at www.winonadailynews.com
Published - Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Winhawks can’t complete sweep
 Winona Senior High's Jessica Fratzke, right, is safe at second base as Austin's Jolene Brody loses the ball during the first game of the Winhawks' Big Nine Conference doubleheader Tuesday in Winona. (Photo by Melissa Carlo/Winona Daily News) |
Winona Senior High School’s softball team was one bad inning away from sweeping Big Nine Conference foe Austin in a doubleheader Tuesday evening.
After a 3-2 victory in the first game, a six-run, sixth inning for Austin in the second game prevented WSHS from getting the sweep, as it lost a four-run lead and fell 8-6.
In the first game, it looked like Austin (4-6, 3-6) was ready to dominate early. The Packers loaded the bases in the first inning and got a run on Maggie Jorgenson’s RBI single. They ran the score up to 2-0 in the second inning after Brandi Ruroden scored.
The Winhawks (4-4, 4-4) regrouped in the third inning, scoring two runs to tie the game.
Jennifer Bowlin hit a double to left field and Hannah Norman hit a home run to center to get Winona back in the game.
It became a defensive battle from there. Winhawks pitcher Krissa Foegen allowed only two hits after the second inning and her infield took care of business as they entered the crucial seventh.
Winona started the seventh with Megan Flanigan’s single.
Foegen hit a line drive double to left field and Alyssa Goodew hit an RBI single to bring in Flanigan and seal the victory.
In the second game, Austin again scored first in the first inning when Sara Sundberg scored on an error. Winona tied the game in the second inning on Brittany Kowalewski’s RBI single and the teams exchanged runs in the third inning.
The fourth inning was huge for Winona. With the bases loaded, Norman hit a line drive to left field that brought in Brittani Turvey and Kowalewski. Erin Buswell scored next, and Norman scored after an Austin error to make the score 6-2.
Austin made its comeback in the sixth inning, bringing in six base runners and reclaiming the lead. The Packers had the bases loaded throughout most of the inning.
Winona had its chance to pull off the win in the seventh inning, loading the bases with two outs.
Sam Bronk was not able to bring in any runners, getting tagged at first, as Winona fell 8-6.
Winona coach Dave Heise was happy with the way his team played.
“There were some highs and some lows,” Heise said. “That’s what you expect from doubleheaders.”
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