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Jun. 21—GRAND FORKS — A rough first inning appeared to put the Grand Forks Spitfires' winning streak in jeopardy Sunday afternoon at Albrecht Field.
It took the Spitfires just three innings to reverse their fortunes.
Grand Forks stormed back from a six-run deficit for a 10-8 victory over the La Crosse Steam, securing its fifth consecutive win.
"Everyone contributed," Spitfires shortstop Sofia Meer said. "We had some great at-bats, some home runs, so it was awesome. ... We've been communicating great, we've been backing up our pitchers very well. We've got to continue to do that moving into our (next game), just have to keep going. I'm very happy with the five-game win streak."
Addie Ferguson tied the game in dramatic fashion, blasting a three-run homer in the third inning to make it 7-7. She went 2-for-2 at the plate and led the team with three RBIs.
"It felt really good," Ferguson said. "I've been working on my approach and just being able to produce more for my team, so I'm really happy that I trusted in my preparation to get through and be that person for my team."
Center fielder Addison Craig handed the Spitfires their first lead of the game with a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning. She also hit an RBI double in the second inning to support the comeback effort.
Grand Forks added two insurance runs in the sixth inning thanks to back-to-back RBI doubles from third baseman Taylor Larson and left fielder Brooklyn Hofer.
First baseman Mattison Kwarta was the first to strike for the Spitfires. She cut into the Steam's 6-0 lead by blasting a two-run homer to left field in the bottom of the first inning.
Kwarta went 4-for-4 and scored three runs. Ferguson, Larson and Emma Peeples each finished with two hits.
"We had quality at-bats and quality swings no matter what the count was," head coach Aaron Alvarez said. "No matter how balls and strikes were called, we stayed with our approach, and we stayed with just putting a good swing on the ball. It showed, just being consistent."
Grand Forks starting pitcher Kennadee Belnap allowed six runs in the first inning but held La Crosse to one run in the second.
Madison Wihlm took over for Belnap in the third inning and silenced the Steam's bats. She pitched four scoreless innings before allowing one run in the seventh.
"Coming back and (giving up) just the one run, (Belnap) gave us an opportunity to keep tacking on and closing the gap," Alvarez said. "(Wihlm) has been playing lights out lately, so going into the game, that was the game plan, her coming in. She just did what she normally does. She throws strikes, makes efficient pitches. It's just a matter of if we can minimize their big hitters, and she did a great job doing that today."
The Spitfires improved to 7-3 with the win and are second in the Northwoods League standings. They'll host the Minot Honeybees on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Continue reading...
It took the Spitfires just three innings to reverse their fortunes.
Grand Forks stormed back from a six-run deficit for a 10-8 victory over the La Crosse Steam, securing its fifth consecutive win.
"Everyone contributed," Spitfires shortstop Sofia Meer said. "We had some great at-bats, some home runs, so it was awesome. ... We've been communicating great, we've been backing up our pitchers very well. We've got to continue to do that moving into our (next game), just have to keep going. I'm very happy with the five-game win streak."
Addie Ferguson tied the game in dramatic fashion, blasting a three-run homer in the third inning to make it 7-7. She went 2-for-2 at the plate and led the team with three RBIs.
"It felt really good," Ferguson said. "I've been working on my approach and just being able to produce more for my team, so I'm really happy that I trusted in my preparation to get through and be that person for my team."
Center fielder Addison Craig handed the Spitfires their first lead of the game with a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning. She also hit an RBI double in the second inning to support the comeback effort.
Grand Forks added two insurance runs in the sixth inning thanks to back-to-back RBI doubles from third baseman Taylor Larson and left fielder Brooklyn Hofer.
First baseman Mattison Kwarta was the first to strike for the Spitfires. She cut into the Steam's 6-0 lead by blasting a two-run homer to left field in the bottom of the first inning.
Kwarta went 4-for-4 and scored three runs. Ferguson, Larson and Emma Peeples each finished with two hits.
"We had quality at-bats and quality swings no matter what the count was," head coach Aaron Alvarez said. "No matter how balls and strikes were called, we stayed with our approach, and we stayed with just putting a good swing on the ball. It showed, just being consistent."
Grand Forks starting pitcher Kennadee Belnap allowed six runs in the first inning but held La Crosse to one run in the second.
Madison Wihlm took over for Belnap in the third inning and silenced the Steam's bats. She pitched four scoreless innings before allowing one run in the seventh.
"Coming back and (giving up) just the one run, (Belnap) gave us an opportunity to keep tacking on and closing the gap," Alvarez said. "(Wihlm) has been playing lights out lately, so going into the game, that was the game plan, her coming in. She just did what she normally does. She throws strikes, makes efficient pitches. It's just a matter of if we can minimize their big hitters, and she did a great job doing that today."
The Spitfires improved to 7-3 with the win and are second in the Northwoods League standings. They'll host the Minot Honeybees on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Continue reading...
