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Indians split games in busy week
WINNEBAGO SCHOOL DISTRICT PHOTO The Gazette
The Winnebago Lady Indians wrapped up the regular season with a 16-8 record. Their would-be final game was eventually canceled.
The Winnebago Indians earned their sixteenth win of the 2023 softball season, last week. The Indians came into the week with a record of 13-7 and a busy schedule ahead of them. With four games in as many days, the Indians had little downtime. Although the fourth game wound up being canceled, Winnebago made the most of their opportunities.
The Indians opened their week with a home game against Dixon. Earlier in the season, Winnebago beat Dixon by a score of 9-2. The Indians were looking for the season sweep this time around.
Winnebago took the early advantage with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first. Reese Erdahl led the game off with a double for the Indians.
Erdahl would eventually score on an Izzy Burd single. Before the end of the first, a sacrifice fly by Lindsay Aldritt gave Winnebago the 2-0 lead.
The Indians went on to put up one run in four consecutive innings as they eventually won by a score of 6-3. Burd led the way at the plate, going two for two with a pair of runs batted in.
Kyla Warkentien was a perfect three for three on the day. Ella Provi was two for three in the victory.
The next day, the Indians went on the road to face off with a tough Warren-Stockton Warhawks squad. In a low-scoring affair, the Indians fell 2-1 to the Warhawks. Despite out-hitting Warren-Stockton 4-3, and Vern Gilley-Amdal tossing a gem, the Indians were unable to come out on top. With the loss, Winnebago’s record fell to 15-8 on the year.
The Indians didn’t have to wait long for an opportunity to bounce back, although it wouldn’t be easy. The very next day, Winnebago played host to the Oregon Hawks. At 15-11, Oregon would prove to be a solid, late season test for Winnebago.
In the middle of the fifth, the Indians found themselves trailing by a score of 2-1. After two quick outs, Winnebago managed some clutch at bats as they kept the inning alive.
After being hit by a pitch, Erdahl eventually stole second base. Provi came through with a single to right, which tied the game 2-2.
Later in the inning, Oregon made a pitching change with the bases loaded. The new pitcher battled the nerves, as Aldritt was hit by the second pitch, which drove in a run. Before the end of the inning, Aubrey Eklund would score on a passed ball, which put the Indians up 4-2.
Thanks to an electric pitching performance by Warkentien, those four runs were all the Indians needed. Warkentien tossed a complete game, going seven innings with five strikeouts and just four hits allowed. Warkentien collected the win on the mound as Winnebago held on to win 4-2.
At the plate, Winnebago had just six hits in the game. Aldritt led the way with two RBI. Provi was the only other Indian with an RBI as she finished the day one for three.
With the win, the Indians improved to 16-8 on the regular season. With that, came the wrap of their 2023 regular season as their would-be final game was eventually canceled.
