In a thrilling softball game held Monday, June 26 at Greenwood Park, the home town Eagles hosted the Garner Hayfield Ventura (GHV) Cardinals in what ended up being a quick, one sided matchup.
The action started right away as the Eagles wasted no time in taking the lead as Addy Jeske kickstarted the scoring in the first inning with a double and promptly crossed the plate on Tarissa Middleton's groundout to give the Eagles a 1-0 lead. However, GHV managed to level the score at 1-1 in the third inning.
GHV's respite was short-lived as Eagle Grove unleashed an offensive onslaught in their half of the third, tallying an impressive eight runs to regain control.
Braxton Steil ignited the rally by singling and then stealing second base. She dashed across home plate on Middleton's double, setting the stage for an explosive inning. Nadia Kaiser stoically took a hit-by-pitch, paving the way for her sister Maddison to reach base on an error, which then allowed Middleton to score. Olivia Conaway then stepped up and delivered a clutch single to left field, driving in both Kaisers.
The Eagles' hitting spree continued as Lily Locke and Chloe Steil followed suit with consecutive singles, bringing home Conaway and Locke's runs, respectively. Braxton Steil, showing her mettle once again, smashed her second single of the inning, plating Locke and Callie Steil, who was pinch running for her sister Chloe. Middleton then solidified her role as a key player by delivering her second hit of the inning, another single, which scored Braxton Steil and extended Eagle Grove's lead to a commanding 9-1.
Eagle Grove's relentless pursuit of victory didn't waver in the fourth inning. With the end in sight, Nadia Kaiser reached base on an error, while Celeste Figueroa displayed her keen eye at the plate, drawing a walk. Once again that Kaiser sisterhood teamwork proved crucial as Maddison singled her sister over the plate, adding another run to the Eagles' impressive tally.
Conaway, exhibiting excellent plate discipline, walked, and Locke capitalized on the opportunity, driving home yet another run. The final run of the game came home courtesy of a passed ball, allowing Jeske to cap off the scoring spree with a single, bringing in the Eagles' last run and solidifying their commanding 13-1 lead — and sealing their triumph under the mercy rule.
The Eagles' triumph was a testament to their well-rounded performance. Each of the nine positions in the lineup reached base at least twice, contributing to the scoring effort and showcasing the depth and strength of the team.
After another commanding performance on the Mound, allowing just four hits and one walk while frustrating the Cardinals' offense, junior Brooklyn Osborn continues to prove herself a formidable pitcher, and earns our rating as MVP yet again. Also earning themselves a spot as Leading Eagles in the match were sophomores Addyson Jeske and Tarissa Middleton, Jeske making 3 hits, one run, a double and an RBI, and Middleton making 2 hits, a run, three RBIs and a double.
"We had good balance up and down our order," remarked Coach Jim McLaughlin. "This was a great start to a tough last week of the regular season. We needed to get things rolling right away and the team did that."
