GOLDEN FLASHES OUTSHINE RANGE END RAIDERS SEASON
The South Range Softball team saw their season come to an end on Thursday with a 14-0 loss to defending state champion…Champion.
The Flashes got on the board early scoring 2 in the top of the first. The Raiders has a chance to get an out on a popped up bunt but Jillian Strecansky just couldn’t dive far enough to catch it. Bree Kohler got her first of 8 strikeouts in the game to end the Champion threat.
The start of the bottom of the inning seemed eerily similar to the top. Marlaina Slabach walked and then Drew Feren popped up a bunt attempt, the similarities ended after that however as Champion caught the fly ball and went on to strand Slabach at 2nd base.
Kohler got the first two outs of the second inning quickly and seemed to be settling down, but the depth of the Champion line up showed itself as their nine hole hitter White put a bloop single down the right field line. After an intentional walk and another bloop single the offensive leader for Champion Cassidy Schaffer blasted a grand slam to dead center to grab control of the game for the Flashes. The next Champion batter would make it back to back jacks and give Champion a controlling 7-0 lead.
Marlaina Slabach got the Taiders their first hit of the day a few innings later, a hard slap through the 5-6 hole into left field. She reached base 2 out of her 3 plate appearances. Alyssa Tracy also reaches base with a HBP.
Kohler struck out 8 hitters on the day to put her season total at 201. It ends a record setting season for her as she became the single season record holder in hits and stolen bases.
The Raiders graduate 5 seniors. Drew Feren, Maddie Helon, Marlaina Slabach, Hanna Dennison, and Brooke Sauerwein. For most programs losing 5 seniors would seem like a rebuild would be in order but the young talent that is sprinkled in the Raiders lineup gives them hope of more strong seasons on the horizon. They finish their 2019 campaign at 18-9 and the South Range District Champions. The programs 6th title, all of which have come since 2010.