Battling back through the elimination bracket, the Kimball fast-pitch team played with a lot of confidence and determination as they ultimately found themselves in the championship game versus Pequot Lakes on Wednesday, May 31, at River’s Edge Softball Complex. The Cubs fell to the Patriots, 3-0, in the final round. Kimball’s road to its incredible run, included a 7-3 victory over Albany on Tuesday, May 30, and a 5-1 win over Melrose in the two-night -double-dipper finale, also on the 30th.
Albany game
Albany opened up scoring in the second inning, and the Cubs leveled things at two apiece in the third. After Kimball scored one run in the top of the seventh, Albany answered with one of their own. Claire Maus was the winning pitcher for the Cubs, going seven innings, allowing three runs on eight hits, striking out six, and walking one. Fischer, Winter, Loehrer, Arnold, and Krohn, all managed multiple hits for Kimball. Winter and Fischer had three hits each, to lead the offensive barrage.
Melrose game
Kimball kept things rolling in the nitecap battle versus Melrose. They opened up scoring in the first inning when Claire Maus doubled on the first pitch of the at-bat, plating one run. Riley Fischer led the Cubs to victory in the pitcher’s circle. She went seven innings, allowing one run on seven hits, striking out 13, and walking zero. Fischer, Stelten, and Loehrer each collected multiple hits for Kimball. Stelten and Fischer had three hits each.
Pequot Lakes game
In Pequot Lakes’ 3-0 victory over Kimball, both teams were strong in the pitcher’s circle. But the Patriots were just a little bit stronger at the plate. Claire Maus started the game for the Cubs and recorded nine outs. The righty went three innings, allowing one run on four hits, striking out four, and walking one. Fischer threw three innings out of the bullpen, and she also led Kimball with two hits in three at bats.