Tanager girls’ softball team opens with a DH win

The Vermillion Tanager softball club team won a double header on April 1, facing Brandon Valley played at the Vermillion Armory complex. Coach Matt Brandhagen has a talented squad of 12 high school softballers to introduce the SDHSAA club team season.

Game one, was a high scoring contest with the Tanagers out pointing BV 10-9. Mandy Wright was the winning pitcher giving up 9 hits in seesaw scoring 11 innings. The score was tied 5-5 in regulation and each team scored one run in both the eighth and ninth while going scoreless in the 10th. Brandon V. scored twice in the 11th and Vermillion countered with a three run rally climaxed by a two run scoring double by pitcher, Wright, to end the marathon.

Six players scored one run, each and two plated two runs, each. Donica Crichton went two for five with one run scored and one RBI; Chelsea Houska – one for five, two RBIs; Jenny Bye – one for five, one run; Ashley Ouellette – one walk, one run; Molly LeCates – two for four, two runs, one RBI ; Anna Erickson – two for four, two runs, one RBI; Megan Chickering – three for five, one run; Erica Johnson – one for five, one run; Mandy Wright – one for four, one run, three RBIs.

Game two was a four inning (called by darkness) 2 – 1 win for Jenny Bye , who pitched a steady two hit game. Thankfully, the Tanagers scored two runs on four hits to claim the victory.

Vermillion scoring stats were: Ouellette – two for two, one run, Crichton – one for one, one RBI; Johnson – one for two, one run.