By Becky Walz,
Strong base running, pitching and defense gave the Decorah softball team (10-7, 6-1 NEIC) its sixth league win of the season Friday night. The Vikes bested New Hampton (8-6, 4-5 NEIC) at home, 6-5 in eight frames.
The Chickasaws struck first with a run in the opening frame and took a 2-0 lead on a solo homer by Elaina Rosonke in the third. Decorah then responded with three of its own in the bottom half of the third frame, taking advantage of walks issued to Jasera Tweten and Bryar Duwe. An error and a pass ball allowed them both to score. The third run was scored by Lani Hubka after she reached base on an error and scampered to third on the error. Lillian Olson drove Hubka in on a grounder.
The Vikes extended their lead to 5-0 in the fifth with Hubka and Olson both crossing the plate. A second solo home run by New Hampton gave the Chickasaws hope in the sixth and the visitors tied the game in the top of the seventh.
With the game knotted 5-5, the Vikes went down in order in the bottom of the seventh and were forced into an extra inning. In the eighth, New Hampton threatened with the lead-off batters standing on second and third before Decorah pitcher Clara Hjelle retired the next three with strikeouts.
The Viking freshman pitcher then led off the bottom of the eighth, reaching base on a walk and advancing to second on a wild pitch. A sac bunt by Dylin Thompson moved Hjelle to third. Decorah loaded the bases with walks to Sydney Kipp and Paige Werner. A third walk to Duwe walked Hjelle in for the winning Viking run.
Hjelle was a rock on the mound. She went all eight frames, striking out 12 while scattering eight hits.
Decorah got seven hits in the contest. Autumn Schaller was 2-for-4 with a double. Providing the other hits for the Vikes were Duwe, Hubka, Olson, Lauren Luzum and Thompson.
It will be a busy week for the Lady Vikes that begins at Waukon Tuesday, June 20, at 5:30 p.m. Decorah will host Waverly-Shell Rock Thursday, June 22, at 5:30 p.m., and finish the week at home with North Fayette Valley Friday, June 23, at 7 p.m., and host the Viking tournament Saturday, June 24, at 9 a.m.
NH 1 0 1 0 0 1 2 0 5 8 3
Dec 0 0 3 0 2 0 0 1 6 7 3
Clara Hjelle (WP) – 8IP, 5R, 8H, 2BB, 12K
2B – Autumn Schaller 1; 1B – Bryar Duwe 1; Lani Hubka 1; Lillian Olson 1; Lauren Luzum 1; Schaller 1; Dylin Thompson 1; RBI – Olson 2; Duwe 1; SB – Hubka 1; Olson 1
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