GC softball splits conference, tourney games
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TOPPERS’ pitcher Kirah Krueger prepared to throw the softball to first base for an out during a May 10 home game versus Elk Mound. The Mounders won 13-2. —photo by Shawn DeWitt
Besides hosting rival Boyceville last week, the Hilltopper softball squad took on two other conference foes and played in a weekend tournament.
Glenwood City earned a split in those four contests going 2-2.
In a May 6 road game, the Toppers clipped the Cardinals of Spring Valley 14-9 to sweep the regular-season series. After last Thursday’s loss at to the Bulldogs, the Hilltoppers hosted Elk Mound the following afternoon but fell once again as the Mounders earned a 13-2 win. Glenwood City capped a busy week with an appearance in the Gilman-Thorp Slamfest where they nipped the Hurley Northstars 11-10 but lost to host Gilman 14 to 2.
Glenwoood City, 3-8 in conference and 5-9 overall, closed out the regular season with two conference games. The Toppers hosted newly-minted conference champion Colfax on Monday and Durand-Arkansaw on Tuesday. Glenwood City, who was seeded eighth in the WIAA tournament, will host Spring Valley this Thursday, May 16 in a Division 4 regional quarterfinal with the winner advancing to next Tuesday’s regional semifinal in Fall Creek versus the top-seeded and state-ranked Crickets.
Spring Valley
Glenwood City and Spring Valley combined for 32 hits and 23 runs when the pair met in Spring Valley last Monday, May 6.
Fortunately, the Hilltoppers collected more hits, 20 to 12, and runs to pocket a 14-9 victory for the regular season sweep.
Scoring a trio of runs in the second and fourth frames, Glenwood City charged to a 6-0 lead.
But, the Red Birds finally took flight in the bottom half of the third and scored three runs to cut their deficit in half. Spring Valley then plated six more runs its half of the fifth to move in front 9 to 6.
Undaunted, Glenwood City rallied for the win as it scored five times in the sixth and added three runs in the seventh to compete the 14-9 comeback with the help of nine Cardinal errors.
Senior Michaela Blaser led the Topper offense with four hits in five at bats, scored three runs and tallied two RBIs. Juniors Isabel Davis and Jenna McCarthy both collected three hits, scored two times and finished with an RBI. Nikki Multhauf and Sydney Grant both tallied two hits including a triple for the former and a double by the latter to go with three RBIs each. Also collecting a pair of hits were Brooklyn Brite and Kiley Leduc.
Maddie Klatt started in the pitching circle and threw four innings where she allowed three runs on six hits and struck out three without a walk but did not get the decision. The pitching victory instead went to Kirah Krueger despite surrendering six runs on four hits and walking seven with four Ks in three innings of work.
Elk Mound
Elk Mound used nine hits and took advantage of six Glenwood City errors to defeat the host Hilltoppers 13-2 in a six-inning conference contest played Friday, May 10.
Elk Mound, who built an 8-0 advantage before Glenwood City scored its only two runs in the bottom of the fourth, put runs on the scoreboard in five of the six innings. The Mounders tallied a run in the first, three in the third, four in the fourth, three more in the fifth and two in the sixth.
Kiley Leduc had two of Glenwood City’s seven hits including a double and both of the Toppers’ RBIs. Nikki Multhauf added a double.
Maddie Klatt took the throwing loss after giving up eight runs on seven hits in four innings in the circle. The senior had four strikeouts and did not issue a walk. Kirah Krueger pitched the final two frames and allowed five runs on four hits with a trio of free passes.
Gilman-Thorp Slamfest
Glenwood City looked to be on its way to a clear cut win over Hurley in the pair’s opening game at last Saturday’s Gilman-Thorp Slamfest in Gilman.
The Hilltoppers led 6-1 after five innings of play, but the Northstars plated nine runs in the top of the sixth inning to take a 10-6 lead.
Glenwood City scored once in the bottom of the sixth and then rallied for four scores in its final at bat to edge Hurley 11-10.
In the high-scoring contest, Glenwood City outslugged Hurley 16 to 10. Kiley Leduc and Isabel Davis each tallied three hits in four plate appearances. Leduc had a pair of doubles, four RBIs and scored three runs. Madison Caress, Michaela Blaser and Jenna McCarthy all finished 2-for-4 with Caress collecting a double and scoring twice. Maddie Klatt and Avery Rubenzer each had a double as well for the Toppers.
Maddie Klatt pitched the first five frames for Glenwood City and allowed just two hits and a run with six Ks and four walks but did not figure in the decision. Despite surrendering nine runs on seven hits with two walks, Kirah Krueger picked up the win when the offense rallied late for the win.
In the second and final game of the Slamfest, a solid Gilman squad collected 14 hits en route to beating Glenwood City 14-2 in five innings.
The Pirates slashed Glenwood City starting pitcher Maddie Klatt for 13 of their 14 hits and all 14 runs, seven of which came in the first inning with the other seven runs plated in the fourthto suffer the loss. Kirah Krueger threw the final inning and struck out two and allowed a hit.
Jenna McCarthy and Isabel Davis each had two of the Toppers six hits. Avery Rubenzer had a double.