Kimball traveled to Dassel-Cokato last Tuesday, April 4, for a non-conference game against a Wright County Powerhouse, the D.C. Chargers. The game ended as a 3-2 victory for the class 3AAA Chargers over the Class A Cubs. The game started off as a pitcher?Äôs duel between Katie Merchant of Kimball, and Dassel?Äôs K. Lind. Kimball struck first in the fourth inning as freshman Torri Harren scored on a Katie Spaulding triple. Through good pitching and solid defense, the Cubs held the modest lead to the bottom of the sixth. With two outs and runners on first and second, a dropped pitch allowed the D.C. base runners to take dangerous leads. Kimball committed two throwing errors, which led to the runners advancing, tying the game, and ultimately scoring the go-ahead run. The Cubs came back in the seventh inning when Rachel Utecht scored on a hit by sister, Emily. In the 8th, the Cubs?Äô Kenzie Leither led off with a triple, however she was unable to score. D.C. came back in the eighth to score the winning run on three walks and an error. Kimball left 11
runners on base, and Dassel-Cokato did not commit a single fielding error.
Kimball offensive stats: Emily Utecht, 2 hits, RBI; Torri Harren, 2 Hits, SB, Run, SO; Katie Spaulding, 2 Hits, Triple, RBI; Alexa Ruehle, Kenzie Leither, Rachel Utecht, and Kari Schiefelbein all had one hit; Katie Merchant reached on a walk. Pitching; Katie Merchant, 7 innings; faced 29 batters, allowed 2 unearned runs, struck out 9, walked 6; charged with the loss. Emily Utecht, 1/3 inning, faced 3 batters, earned run, walked one, struck out one. D.C. offensive stats: P. Lilliquist, 1 Hit, Run, SO, Walk; A. Wagner, Hit, Run, 2 Walks; H. Hoskins, Hit, Run, Walk; A. Johnson, Hit, RBI; Pitching; K. Lind pitched 8 innings, faced 36 batters, allowed 2 earned runs, gave up 10 hits, 1 SO, and 1 Walk, credited with the win.
Emily Utecht pitched against the Royals at the Cubs?Äô home opener Thursday, April 6. Staff photo by Marguerite Laabs.