Cook County News Herald

Vikings win softball opener




Alex Slanga struck out four of the first six batters she faced and the Vikings raced to a 10-0 lead in the first two innings of their opening game played at home on April 14 against the Cromwell Cardinals.

Looking sharp in the field and strong at the plate, the Cook County High School girls’ softball team wasted little time ten running the visiting Cromwell Cardinals 20-0 in four innings.

The Vikings did much of the damage in the first inning.

Hannah Toftey led off the top of the inning with a single, and then stole second on a wild pitch. Alyssa Spry moved her to third on a bunt for a single. Alyssa stole second on the first pitch to the Vikings’ third batter, Maddy Roy. Roy took first on a walk to load the bases.

With the table set, hard hitting Miranda Deschampe came up and displayed why she is the Vikings’ cleanup hitter, smashing a triple to right field to drive in three runs.

Next, Trace McQuatters took first on a walk, then stole second and went to third on a wild pitch that allowed Miranda to come home from third.

Mariah Deschampe reached first on a single, then stole second on the next pitch. Up next, Abby Prom reached first on a walk to load the bases. Jamie Johnson walked and Mariah came in to give the Vikings a 5-0 lead.

Batting ninth, Slanga singled which brought in McQuatters. Abby was thrown out after she attempted to steal home on a wild pitch. Hannah Toftey popped out, Spry walked and Roy drove in Johnson and the pinch runner for Slanga to give the Vikings an 8-0 lead. The inning ended on a ground ball to second and throw to first to get Miranda Deschampe out.

The Vikings scored two more runs in the top of the second. Mariah Deschampe singled to lead off and Prom followed with a walk. Johnson flied out to second, Slanga walked and Toftey sacrificed to drive in Deschampe. Roy walked which forced in Prom. The Vikings next two hitters were out to end the inning with the Vikings up 10-0.

The Vikings scored 10 more runs—mostly off of walked in runners—in the next two innings to end the game on the 10-run rule.

Slanga ended the game with nine strikeouts, one walk and gave up two hits.

“Alex pitched super for us,” said head coach Jessie Anderson. “We hope this is just the start of many more good outings to come for Alex.”

Hannah Toftey ended with two singles, two walks and four runs batted in (RBIs). Alyssa Spry also had two singles, two walks and two RBIs. Maddy Roy had one hit and drove in two RBIs while Miranda Deschampe finished with a triple and a walk and had four RBIs. McQuatters had four walks, three RBIs while Mariah Deschampe had two singles and one RBI. Prom finished with three walks and Jamie Johnson had two walks and two RBIs. Slanga had one single, two walks and two RBIs.

The Vikings played Floodwood away on Friday, April 22, and will come home on Tuesday, April 26 to play Southridge at 4:30 p.m. in the Grand Marais Recreation Park.



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