2-0 win improves Chiefs to 5-3 in conference
By Dan Truttschel
Correspondent
The conditions certainly weren’t favorable for a softball team anywhere in these parts Tuesday afternoon.
But a victory for the Big Foot squad probably helped the Chiefs at least feel a little warmer inside than their counterparts from East Troy.
Winning cures a lot – including the cold.
Big Foot pushed home the game’s only two runs in the bottom of the second inning en route to a 2-0 Rock Valley Conference win over the visiting Trojans.
The win improved the Chiefs to 5-3 overall and 5-3 in the RVC.
Morgan Stalker and Brooke Berryman each collected RBI in the second inning to drive in Camryn Horton and Gabby Esarco.
And that’s all the offense the Chiefs needed for freshman pitcher Riley Davis, who went the distance to pick up the win. She allowed five hits, four walks and struck out six.
The win Tuesday came on the heels of an RVC twin bill split Saturday at Parkview.
Big Foot dropped the opener 5-0, but bounced back for an 8-7 victory in the nightcap.
The Chiefs couldn’t solve Parkview pitcher Courtney Grenwalt in the opener, Big Foot coach Rick Schoenbeck said.
“We just came off Clinton two games in a row, whose pitcher had no movement on her ball,” he said. “These (games Saturday) were our fourth and fifth games in six days. We were flat to start, as the defense and pitching showed.
“Secondly, we chased her rise ball, which was the best we have seen, and were over-swinging, as she threw a lot of changeups. … She was a good pitcher who kept us off balance.”
Parkview, which entered the doubleheader at 1-8, scored three runs in the first inning and two more in the second.
And that fast start was all Grenwalt needed, as she fanned 12 Big Foot hitters and kept the Chiefs to just three hits, two by Brooke Berryman and one by Davis.
“(Their) coach said they played the best they have played all year,” Schoenbeck said. “That is what conference games do, they bring extra spirit and energy to the game. My young girls need to be ready for that.”
Davis took the loss, as she allowed eight hits, four earned runs, two walks and struck out two.
Big Foot rebounded in the nightcap with two runs in the sixth inning, and then held off a late Vikings’ rally for the one-run win.
Getting out of Parkview with a split was critical, Schoenbeck said.
“Conference wins are a must,” he said. “We came back on the same pitcher, made adjustments and executed well.
“We played more focused, put pressure on their defense with the bunting game and ran bases well. In addition, we were patient at the plate and hit line drives, versus going for the fence.”
Sam Hartwig led the offense with four hits, two runs scored and an RBI. Berryman added three hits and two runs scored, while Davis had two hits and an RBI. Horton chipped in with a hit, a run scored and two RBI.
Stalker pitched 3 1-3 innings, and allowed five hits, four earned runs, one walk and struck out two. Davis worked 3 2-3 innings, and allowed eight hits, three earned runs and struck out two.
Big Foot was back in action Thursday afternoon at Edgerton. The Chiefs travel to Brodhead next Tuesday, April 28, at 4:30 p.m.
Chiefs hammer Clinton
Big Foot scored in every inning April 16 in an easy 19-1, five-inning win at Clinton.
Courtney Schoenbeck, Horton and Olivia Briggs each had three hits, while Stalker and Berryman had two apiece. Horton drove in five runs, Schoenbeck and Stalker three and Briggs and Berryman two.
Davis and Schoenbeck combined to pitch five innings. Davis allowed three hits and struck out five, while Schoenbeck walked one in one inning of work.
There was plenty to like about that win, Schoenbeck said.
“We obviously ran the bases well, executed as a team and worked on aspects of the small-ball game, hit and run and defensive situations to challenge the runners,” he said.
“Most importantly were Morgan Stalker and Courtney Schoenbeck performing quality innings at pitcher and giving Riley Davis some innings off.”
