By Chris Bennett
Correspondent
Coach Jacob Schueller is proud of how the Elkhorn Area High School softball team carried itself off the field in an April 1 and 2 road trip to play Mahomet-Seymour High School in Mahomet High School.
Mahomet is three hours south of Elkhorn and 45 minutes southeast of Bloomington, Ill.
“I just figured it would be a place where the snow would be off the ground and the field would be playable,” Schueller said.
The Elks’ impeccable behavior pleased Schueller.
“I was impressed with how our team carried itself in the hotel, and when we went to eat,” Schueller said. “They represented themselves, and the program, with the utmost class.
“Whenever you get 15 teenage girls together and give them some independence, that’s not always how it goes. They were flawless in their behavior and attitude, and it’s nice to coach a group of kids like that.”
The Elks’ performance on the field needs time to catch-up to their well-mannered ways off the field. Elkhorn lost the first game of the doubleheader, its season opener, 7-5, and lost the second game 15-14.
Elkhorn (0-2) opened Southern Lakes Conference play Tuesday at Salem against Westosha Central. The Falcons (0-2) are ranked No. 1 in the state in the pre-season Wisconsin Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association state poll.
Elkhorn opens today at home against SLC foe Badger, and plays host Saturday to non-conference opponent Clinton.
Schueller said the Elks’ games against Mahomet-Seymour encouraged him, aside from one aspect of play. The Elks committed six errors in the first game and four in the second.
“I think we were better, but they played almost flawless defense, and we did not,” Schueller said.
Mahomet-Seymour took control of the first game against Elkhorn with five runs in the second inning and two in the third.
The game ended in the midst of an Elkhorn rally. The Elks scored twice in the top of the seventh inning and had the tying run on second base at the final out.
Rachel Gosh pitched four innings in relief of starter Carolyn Griswold and allowed two hits and struck-out seven. Gosh also went 2-for-4 at the plate and scored two runs.
“Everyone in the lineup produced one way or another,” Schueller said. “We did not strike out a lot, which is good to see.”
Gosh started the second game and threw all seven innings.
“They started to catch up to her and she didn’t command her change-up well enough to keep them off-balance, and she started to get a little tired,” Schueller said.
The Elks rallied for six runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, and the game ended with the tying run on second base. The Elks finished the second game with 18 hits.
In the second game, Hailey Wang finished with four hits and five RBIs. Gosh finished with three doubles and three RBIs. Bailey LeDonne drove in three runs and Meghan Etten and Mackenzie Shawback each drove in two.
