MANKATO, Minn. – The Yellowjacket softball team finished its three-game series with Bethany Lutheran Saturday afternoon with a split of the doubleheader. In game one the Yellowjackets would earn the win in extra innings, 9-8. The Yellowjackets dropped game two 10-3. By winning the three-game series, Bethany Lutheran secures first place in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) standings and will host the UMAC Championships next weekend.
The Yellowjackets close out the regular season with a 23-13 overall record and a 12-6 record in the conference to secure the No. 3 seed in the UMAC tournament.
Game One Notes
- Bethany Lutheran would get the scoring started in game one with a double to left center from Haley Stockman. Stockman would be called out at third base, but Sydney Jacobs would score on the play.
- The Yellowjackets would take the lead in the second inning starting with a double from Indigo Fish (Superior, Wis./Superior Senior). Fish doubled down the left field line, scoring Ellie Macal (Winona, Minn./Cotter) to tie the game 1-1.
- MyKenzie Leccia (Somerset, Wis./Somerset) would reach on a throwing error by the shortstop and advance to second base. Fish scored to give the 'Jackets a 2-1 lead.
- Carly Stuckmayer (Delano, Minn./Delano Senior) filed out to the centerfield for a sacrifice fly. Leccia scored to increase the lead 3-1.
- Larissa Snyder (Blaine, Minn./Spring Lake Park) would hit a double down the right field line advancing Karen Balabon (Elk River, Minn./Elk River) to third and scoring Norah Schmitz (Carver County, Minn./Waconia) for a 4-1 lead to end the second inning.
- Extending the lead for the Yellowjackets in the third inning, Fish would hit her third home run of the season over the center field fence. Fish scored Macal to increase the lead 6-1.
- Schmitz would follow with her second home run of the year, advancing the lead 7-1 in the third.
- In the fifth inning, BLC brought in five runs to decrease the Yellowjacket lead to 7-6.
- For the Yellowjackets in the sixth inning, Stuckmayer singled up the middle, scoring Schmitz for an 8-6 lead.
- In the seventh inning, Ana Christifferson for the Vikings would hit a homerun to left center, scoring Stockman to tie the game 8-8 to send the game into extra innings.
- The Yellowjackets would earn the win in the ninth inning with a single up the middle from Zoe Thomson (Le Sueur, Minn./Le Sueur-Henderson) scoring Snyder for a final of 9-8.
- Getting the start in the circle for the Yellowjackets was Bella Garley (Albuquerque, N.M./Porter (Tex.)). Garley pitched the first six innings earning the win, improving her record to 9-6.
- Samantha Swartz (Antigo, Wis./Antigo) would pitch the remaining three innings allowing three hits and had one strike out.
Game Two Notes
- BLC hit the ground running in game two, scoring eight runs in the first two innings.
- For the Yellowjackets in the fourth inning, Fish singled to center field to advance Thomson to second and score Snyder.
- BLC would earn that run back in the fourth inning with a single from Christofferson, scoring Stockman ending the inning 9-1.
- In the fifth inning for the Yellowjackets, Thomson doubled to center field to score Stuckmayer and Lily Hanson (Cloquet, Minn./Esko). Pulling the 'Jackets to within now trailing 9-3.
- Emma Pillion (Ottawa, Ill./Ottawa Township) got the start in the circle for the Yellowjackets and was credited with the loss. Pillion's record now sits 5-4.
- Georgia Youngblood (Ray, Mich./Lutheran North) would pitch the last 4.2 innings allowing three runs and struck out two batters.
The Yellowjackets will be back in action on Thursday, May 9 as they start UMAC tournament play. Bethany Lutheran will host the tournament and the Yellowjackets will see Minnesota Morris. First pitch is set for 2 p.m at Thomas Park.
