Kimball traveled to Central Park in Ramsey Saturday, May 20, to play two Section 4A playoff softball games. The Cubs faced Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City (ACGC) in the first game. After playing two innings in the pouring rain, the game was suspended with Kimball holding a 7-4 lead. It was decided that since the playoff game between Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity and West Lutheran also got suspended in the third inning, both suspended games would be played at Kimball Monday, May 22. All four teams involved would play double headers in Kimball. The Cubs ultimately defeated ACGC by a final of 16-4, in five innings of play. Emily Utecht pitched for the Cubs and was credited with the win.
(Game one) Highlights Kimball: Tori Harren, 3 for 3, 3 runs scored, 2 HR, 5 RBI, SAC; Alexa Ruehle, 2 for 3, run scored, RBI; Mackenzie Leither, 2 for 4, 2 runs scored, RBI; Emily Utecht, 1 for 3, 2B, 3 runs scored, 2 RBI, BB, 2 SB; Justice Boyer, 1 for 2, 2B, 2 runs scored, BB; Rachel Utecht, 1 for 2, 4 runs scored, BB, HP; Katie Merchant, 1 for 2, 2 RBI, SAC; Katie Spaulding, 1 for 3; Stephanie Hurrle, 0 for 1, 3 runs scored, 3 BB; Pitching Highlights: Emily Utecht, 5 inn., faced 24 batters, allowed 4 hits, struck out 8, walked 3.
(Game 2) The matchup with West Lutheran was a real barn burner until the sixth inning, when the Cubs exploded for six runs, on clutch hitting, coupled with at least one costly West Lutheran error. That was the entirety of the scoring and Kimball prevailed by a 6-0 final tally. The wild sixth inning started when Rachel Utecht hit a shot down the third baseline that bounced off the third baseman?Äôs glove. Three of the next four Kimball hitters walked. Stephanie Hurrle then hit a shot to center field which scored two runs. That was followed by Katie Spaulding?Äôs three-run round tripper that put the lead to six. The Cubs?Äô defense was sharp. West Lutheran had runners in scoring position in five of the first six innings, but Kimball?Äôs defense did not allow a run. Katie Merchant was credited with the win for the Cubs and Emily Utecht went in for the 7th to seal the deal.
Kimball Highlights: Katie Spaulding, 1 for 3, HR 3 RBI, run scored; Stephanie Hurrle, 1 for 2, 2B, 2 RBI; Alexa Ruehle, 1 for 2; Justice Boyer, 1 for 2, 2B; Pitching Highlights: Katie Merchant, 6 innings pitched; faced 27 batters, allowed 6 hits, SO 9, BB 5, HP; Emily Utecht, 1 inning pitched; faced 3 batters, SO 2 BB 0; Katie Merchant got the win.