After a strong 3-0 start to the season, the Cloquet girls softball team stumbled on Friday night in a 1-0 loss to Greenway.
"I thought defensively we played well for six innings with the exception of the first inning," commented Cloquet coach Steph Sklors. "I don't believe the girls were ready to go. I know several of them were tired mentally and I understand this by the kind of week they had in school."
Greenway took a 1-0 lead in the first inning with some aggressive base running and that would be all they would need to capture the win.
"We struggled at the plate and could not string hits together," mentioned Sklors. "We did have our chances, though, but we couldn't capitalize on them."
The Jacks had trouble solving the hard-throwing Alyssa Oberhelman who gave up three hits, walked five and fanned five for Greenway.
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Meanwhile, the Lumberjacks got a strong outing again from sophomore pitcher Katrina Korman who tossed seven innings and struckout nine.
- Earlier last week the Jacks downed Duluth Central 6-0 behind a one-hitter by Korman who also struck out six in the win while allowing one walk.
"When you have a pitcher of the caliber of Katrina Korman on the mound and a work horse behind the plate like Leanne Gittings, your team can be nothing but relaxed," explained Sklors. "That also goes for Katrina being confident that she can throw any pitch she wants and our defense will make the play."
One of the big hits for the Jacks was by Billie Diver who laced a liner to right field to start a rally while both Sadie Lundquist and Gittings added hits and RBIs in the game along with Alyssa Wappes.
"I am proud of the 13 players who have all contributed to the wins," mentioned Sklors. "Whether it be base running, coming in to give us a clutch hit, or having continual positive attitudes, I am proud of the girls' effort and know that we will continue to get stronger each and every game."
Pine Journal sports reporter Kerry Rodd can be contacted at: kdrodd@aol.com .
