Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties

Progress turns into success on softball diamond for Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn

Hawks break out offensively in 16-4 win over Harris-Lake Park

After showing progress in their first two games, Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn's softball team put all the pieces together to defeat Harris-Lake Park, 16-4, on May 27 in Hartley.

Five Hawks had big nights at the plate to spark a 16-hit attack. Bailey VerHelst and Cadence Klein each hit a double and two singles, Abby Kunzman had three singles, Gracie Knobloch hit a double and a single, and Kinsey Schirmer finished with two singles. Meghan Larson added a double.

"The girls attacked the ball hard in the batter's box and ran the bases well," Hawk coach Stephanie Bronstad said. "I'm very happy with the way they played."

H-LP scored a run in the first inning but H-M-S answered with a two-run single by VerHelst and an RBI single by Kunzman. Two runs also scored on an error. VerHelst drove in two more runs in the second inning and Klein stole home to score the third run.

The Wolves cut the deficit to 8-4 in the third inning but H-M-S put the game out of reach with five runs. Two scored on a double by Klein and another on a single by Kunzman. Klein and VerHelst also had RBIs in the Hawks' three-run fourth inning.

Knobloch pitched a two-hitter to earn the win. She walked seven and struck out seven.

"Gracie executed well on the mound," Bronstad said.

• vs. MMCRU

Steady scoring allowed MMCRU to pull away for an 11-0 win over H-M-S on May 26 in Hartley.

The Royals scored two runs in the first and second innings. After adding single runs in the fourth and fifth innings, MMCRU scored five times in the sixth to close out the win.

The Hawks could not take advantage of what threats they had. Leading hitters were Klein with a double and a single, Larson with two singles, Knobloch with a triple and Kamryn Ebel with a single.

Despite losing by a total of 21 runs in the first two games, Bronstad saw positives against the Royals.

"Progress was made," she said. "Abby and Kamryn did what they needed to do on the mound. The girls started to hit the ball which was good to see. I am excited to see the progress in this team and these girls."

Kunzman pitched four innings. She allowed six hits and walked three. Ebel also gave up six hits and walked two.

• vs. GT/RA

Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire scored seven runs late in the game to post an 11-1 win over H-M-S on May 23 at Ruthven.

The Titans scored single runs in the first two innings and scored