VHS softball team is third at state

The Tanagers Softball team finished the season with a third-place finish at the State "B" Tournament, held at the Sherman Park SB complex in Sioux Falls on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 6 and 7.

In game #1, a 6-1 win over Brookings, Jenny Bye pitched a three-hit, one-run complete game, striking out an amazing 16 batters. She also sparked the six-run fifth inning come back led by Molly LeCates – 1 for 3, 2 RBIs; and Brianna Brinkman – 2 for 3 at bat performances.

Line score: VHS – 6 R, 8 H, 1 E, 7 LOB; BHS – 1 R, 3 H, 0 E, 3 LOB .

Game #2 – Tanagers won by forfeit over Canton.

Game #3 – a heartbreaking 3-2 hard-fought battle, losing to West Central.

Jenny pitched the whole seven innings, striking seven batters, allowing six hits. Donica Crichton led the offensive attack with 3 for 4 at bat, scoring both runs, and Jenny went 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs.

Line score: VHS – 2 R, 9 H, 0 E, 7 LOB; WCHS – 3 R, 6 H. 0 E, 3 LOB.

Day two, 9 a.m., Game #4 – Garretson was the victim as Jenny Bye pitched the first four innings, striking out four, giving up one hit, and Elizabeth Bye came in to finish the game, pitching three innings, striking out two, allowing one hit.

Line Score: VHS – 8 R, 11 H, 0 E, 9 LOB; GHS – 0 R, 2 H, 1 E, 2 LOB

Offensive stats: Crichton – 3 for 5, three runs; Ashley Ouellette – 3 for 4, one run, four RBIs; Katie Kashas – 2 for 2, 11 RBIs; Alicia Brown – 3 for 4, two runs, 1 RBI.

10:30 a.m., Game #5 against Watertown – An exciting 4-3 victory for the Tanagers. Jenny Bye went seven innings, striking out five, allowing six hits.

Line score: VHS – 4 R, 9 H, 2 E, 8 LOB; WHS – 3 R, 5 H, 0 E, 6 LOB.usd

Offense: Crichton – 2 for 4, one run; Kayla Munger – 1 for 4, one RBI; Jenny Bye – 1 for 3, 2 RBIs; Brinkman – 2 for 3, one RBI; Erica Johnson – 1 for 3, one run; Ouellette – 1 for 4, one run; LeCates – one run.

Noon, Game #6 against Lennox – The girls had a 5-1 lead going into the fourth inning when the "wheels fell off" and the Orioles scored five runs, aided by three costly errors. Jenny went six innings, striking out five batters.

Line score: VHS – 5 R, 6 H, 4 E, 3 LOB; LHS – 7 R, 7 H, 1 E, 5 LOB.

Offense: Kashas – 2 for 3, one run; Brinkman – 1 for 3, one run; LeCates – 1 for 3, one run, 1 rbi; Johnson – 1 for 3, one run, one rbi.

The girls played a fantastic tournament. The highlight of the weekend was the 3-2 loss to the eventual state title winner. I was very proud of the girls this weekend, as they never gave up. Jenny Bye pitched phenomenally," coach Lori Jerred said.

"We had a good season and a great state tournament. I really enjoyed coaching the girls this fall; it was very rewarding."

Tanagers selected as All-Tournament members were Jenny Bye, Katie Kashas and Alicia Brown.