This story was written By The Globe. It is republished with permission.
https://www.dglobe.com/sports/lady-jays-win-lively-softball-doubleheader-against-ridgewater-college
WORTHINGTON — Minnesota West Lady Jays softball earned victories in both Tuesday afternoon games against Ridgewater College. The Lady Jays won the first game 10-6, and overcame a 9-1 deficit in the bottom of the third to win the second game 14-12.
“It was two exciting games,” said Lady Jays coach Keith Swenson. “Both teams were hitting the ball and running around the bases. A battle of the bats and we ended up having more hits than they did, scored a few more runs to get a couple of ‘W’s.’”
The Lady Jays will play at home on Friday in a doubleheader against St. Cloud Technical and Community College.
Minnesota West 10, Ridgewater 6
The Lady Jays offense was balanced in game one. The team scored two in the first, one in the second, four in the fourth and three in the sixth.
Taylor Ponto went 2-for-4 from the plate with a double. She scored three runs and had two RBIs.
Makenzie Allen batted leadoff, scored three runs, and went 1-for-4 with a walk. Torrence Clelland hit a double and scored two RBIs. Kiarra Danielson had two RBIs.
Julia Schmoker pitched a complete game for the Lady Jays. She gave up 10 hits, five earned runs and three walks. Schmoker struck out 10 and hit a double at the plate.
Six Lady Jays hit RBIs and six Lady Jays scored runs.
The Lady Jays left five runners on base.
Ridgewater 102 100 2 – 6
Minnesota West 210 403 X – 10 8 2
Minnesota West 14, Ridgewater 12
Taylor Ponto and Julia Schmoker split pitching duties in the nightcap. Ponto started the game and pitched four and two-thirds innings. Ponto allowed 10 hits, six earned runs, four walks and had four strikeouts.
Schmoker pitched the final seven outs. She allowed three hits, struck out two and one earned run.
Swenson said he was proud of his team’s resolve to win the game. Despite a 9-1 deficit in the bottom of the third inning, his Lady Jay team battled with bats to score nine runs of their own in the half inning.
Torrence Clelland hit a home run and double. She had four RBIs and scored three runs. Schmoker hit two doubles and had two RBIs. Ponto, Allen, Danielson and Emily Dunlop hit doubles for Minnesota West.
Ponto was 3-for-5 from the plate with three RBIs and three runs scored.
The Lady Jays left five runners on base and had five errors.
Ridgewater 423 102 0 – 12
Minnesota West 209 003 X – 14 7 5