SHULLSBURG – It took a little while for Shullsburg/Benton to get its offense going, but once they did they were tough to stop as the host Miner-Zephyrs plated nine runs in the fifth frame and six more in the sixth to rally past Darlington for a 15-10 non-conference softball victory at Badger Park on Friday, May 4.
The Redbirds (1-12 overall) jumped ahead 5-0 to start the game, but things turned around for the hosts in the bottom of the fifth when they scored nine times to overtake the ‘Birds.
Sarah Fluhr and Kindle Cook had a RBI-singles during the rally, while Lydia Jones doubled in a run and Maggie Gleason drilled a three-run double for Shulls/Ben (2-8).
Darlington fought back to tie the game at 9-9 in the top of the sixth on another RBI-double by Heinberg, a two-run triple by Taylor Crist and a RBI-single by Gabbie Steiner; however the Miner-Zephyrs struck for six runs in the bottom of the sixth to regain the lead. Cook doubled in a run and Brianna Jones singled in another in the stanza.
Alexis Redfearn (2-2) worked her way out of a slight jam in the top of the seventh, getting her fourth strikeout of the game for the final out to seal the win.
Cook finished 3-for-4 at the plate with two runs and two RBI, while Gleason went 2-for-2 with three RBI and three runs for the hosts. B. Jones drove in two runs and scored once, and L. Jones scored twice and drove in a run.
Heinberg went 2-for-4 with two doubles, two runs and a RBI. Steiner drove in three runs, while Crist had two RBI and scored two runs for the ‘Birds. Holly Ray added two RBI and a run, and Chelsie Golackson scored three times.
Darlington earned its first victory of the season at Fennimore on Monday, May 7, when they blanked the host Golden Eagles, 8-0, in a SWAL clash.
Just like the first meeting between the two teams, the Redbirds (1-7 SWAL) got off to a good start, scoring once in the first, four times in the second and three times in the third to build up an 8-0 advantage. Unlike the first time, the ‘Birds maintained the lead this time with Tuescher (1-12) tossing a complete-game, five-hit shutout to earn the win.
Bethany McDonald scored two runs and drove in two others to lead the ‘Birds, while Tuescher helped her own cause with a RBI and two runs.
Darlington opened last week by falling 8-3 to Southwestern in a SWAL make-up game in Hazel Green on Tuesday, May 1.
The Redbirds hosted Southwestern in a rematch at Sieg Field on Thursday, May 3, but heavy rains forced the game to be suspended in the top of the fourth inning with the Wildcats leading 9-1 over the ‘Birds. The teams will pick up the game where they left off at 9 a.m. in Hazel Green on Saturday, May 12, prior to the Southwestern Tournament. Following the completion of that game, the Redbirds will participate in the tournament along with Argyle and Dodgeville.
Darlington also has upcoming games scheduled at home against Mineral Point on Thursday, May 10 (5 p.m.), against Black Hawk in South Wayne on Friday, May 11 (4:30 p.m.) and at Riverdale on Monday, April 14 (5 p.m.).
Darlington…. 012 024 1 – 10 12 1
Shulls/Ben… 000 096 x – 15 10 3
Leading Hitters: D– Chelsie Golackson 2x5, Holly Ray 2x5, Lucy Heinberg 2x4, Brittney Jacobson 2x5, Taylor Crist 2x4 .3B- Crist. 2B- Heinberg (2). S/B– Brianna Jones 2x5, Kindle Cook 3x4, Maggie Gleason 2x2. 2B– Lydia Jones, Cook, Gleason.
W- Alexis Redfearn (7IP, 12H, 10R, 5ER, 4K, 6BB). L- Alyssa Tuescher (4.67IP, 5H, 7R, 7ER, 5K, 6BB).
At Shullsburg, on Friday, May 4
Darlington…….. 021 000 0 – 3 5 0
Southwestern… 301 040 x – 8 11 3
Leading Hitters: D– Gabby Steiner 2x3. S– Myers 2x4, Kruser 2x4, Pergande 2x3. 2B- Kruser, Pergande, Kunkle.
W- Reynolds (4IP, 0H, 0R, 0ER, 4K, 3BB). L- Alyssa Tuescher (6IP, 11H, 8R, 8ER, 2K, 2BB).
At Hazel Green, on Tuesday, May 1
Darlington…. 143 000 0 – 8 4 1
Fennimore…. 000 000 0 – 0 5 4
Leading Hitters: D– None. F– None.
W- Alyssa Tuescher (7IP, 5H, 0R, 0ER, 2K, 3BB. L- Kreul (7IP, 4H, 8R, 5ER, 9K, 6BB).
Shullsburg/Benton scores big win