Girls win three of four last week
By Dan Truttschel
Correspondent
With each passing day, the East Troy High School softball team continues to gain a little confidence.
And a little momentum as well.
East Troy picked up three wins in four games last week, including a Rock Valley Conference doubleheader sweep Saturday at Whitewater.
The Trojans, who beat the Whippets 11-5 and 7-6, split a pair of RVC games with Edgerton open the week. East Troy dropped an 11-1 decision April 12, but bounced back to beat the Tide 8-4 two days later.
With the 3-1 week, the Trojans improved to 5-3 overall and 5-2 in the RVC heading into a home game Tuesday against Big Foot.
The opener Saturday against Whitewater was over quickly, as the Trojans scored all 11 runs in the first three innings.
“Offensively, we had good at bats, put some good swings on the ball and made some things happen,” East Troy coach Greg Prince said.
Kaitlyn O’Connell led the way with four hits, including a double, followed by Erin Rice, Vanessa Dingman and Sophia Heimos each with two hits. Heimos and Hunter Scheel also doubled for the Trojans.
Heimos went the distance to earn the win, as she allowed 10 hits, five earned runs, three walks and struck out four.
“Sophia pitched another strong game,” Prince said. “She had some control issues in one inning which led to two Whitewater runs, but otherwise (was) very consistent.”
Another fast start in the nightcap put the Trojans in front – before the Whippets rallied late.
Whitewater scored twice in the top of the seventh inning to take the lead before the Trojans put together a rally of their own.
A bases-loaded single by Kelly Griffa tied the game, followed by passed ball that chased home the winning run.
“Being the home team in this game made all the difference in the world,” Prince said. “I really thought our kids battled hard in the seventh inning.
“After leading the whole game and giving up the lead in the seventh, they could have quit, but they didn’t. Some of them had their best at bats of the day in the seventh, and that is why we won.”
Chloe Jakscht pitched the first 5-1/3 innings to pick up the win, as she allowed five hits, four earned runs, seven walks and struck out five in her first action in the circle this season.
Jakscht stepped in for Samantha Donohue, who Prince said is lost for the season with a torn ACL.
“(That) was a big blow for our team because we lose a very good pitcher, a very good second baseman and just a good all-around softball player,” he said.
“This was Chloe’s first pitching action of the year, and to get five good innings out of her was huge for our team.”
Heimos worked the last 1-2/3 innings in relief, and allowed four hits, two earned runs and struck out one.
Following Tuesday’s Big Foot game, the Trojans travel to Clinton Thursday and to Brodhead Monday for two more RVC matchups.
East Troy splits two
Just two days after an 11-1 loss to Edgerton, the Trojans bounced back for an 8-4 win over the Tide.
Griffa led the way with three hits and a run scored, followed by O’Connell with two hits and a run scored and Scheel with a triple.
Heimos went the distance to pick up the win, as she allowed two earned runs, five walks, eight hits and struck out six.
“What a difference two days makes,” Prince said. “We came through with a couple of key, clutch hits, (had) great effort and attitude by the whole team, never quit, never let up.”
Edgerton used an eight-run four inning in the first contest to take control. The game ended in five innings via the 10-run rule.
O’Connell and Maria Longstreet each had two hits, while Heimos collected a double.
Heimos took the loss, as she allowed 11 earned runs, six walks and struck out two.
