RAPIDS DEALS SPASH FIRST CONFERENCE LOSS OF SEASON
STEVENS POINT, WI - The Wisconsin Rapids Red Raiders shut out the SPASH Panthers in game one of a Tuesday softball double header, 1-0, to give SPASH its first Valley Conference loss of the season. Rapids sophomore, Rhiannon Carroll, dealt the shutout from the circle, limiting SPASH to four hits and striking out two.
In the game one win, it was Carroll from the plate hammering a solo home run to center field in the top of the sixth inning to complete the all-around performance for her Red Raiders.
SPASH saw Kyla O'Neal reach third to leadoff the bottom of the fifth inning. A Carroll strikeout, fly out to Ally Verjinsky in right field, and a ground ball to Megan Clary at shortstop left O'Neal stranded at third base to end the inning. A double play in the bottom of the sixth and a 1-2-3 inning in the seventh sealed the win for Wisconsin Rapids.
In game two it was the Panthers storming back in the seventh inning to score a comeback win, 5-3, to split the double header.
With game two tied at three heading into the top of the seventh inning Caitlyn Kaminski reached base after being hit by pitch followed by Ashlyn O'Neal bunting safely. With Kaminski on second and O'Neal on first, Maddy Miklesh delivered a single to center field that scored Kaminski and O'Neal to put the Panthers up two.
After an error put the leadoff hitter on base in the bottom of the 7th, Jaelyn Slowinski induced a ground out and struck out the next two Rapids batters to secure the 5-3 win for SPASH.
With both D.C. Everest and Marshfield sweeping their Tuesday games, the top of the Valley Conference standings is a crowded group. In what could be a conference deciding event, Everest visits SPASH on Tuesday, May 27th with first pitch scheduled for 4pm and broadcast live at zaleskisports.com.
