Cyclones back in win column with game 2 victory
After dropping their previous 11 games, the Cyclones got themselves back in the win column in game two of their Monday night home doubleheader with a 12-11 victory over the Red Oak Tigers.
“It feels amazing honestly,” said Junior Brianna Muenchrath. “It’s an incredible feeling.”
In game one of the doubleheader, Jenna Gessert started the night in the circle and ran into some early trouble giving up six runs to the Tigers offense in the top of the 1st inning, and four more runs in the top of the 3rd inning.
Gessert struck out two batters and walked one, but was removed after 3 2/3 innings and replaced by Lauren Schmitz. Schmitz pitched 1 1/3 innings.
“She [Gessert] was not ready to go today,” said Cyclones Head Coach Brandi Eckles. “I know that she’ll come back tomorrow ready to go.”
The Cyclones were able to muster up four runs in game one. Suzy Kenkel and Haylee Ernst each had two hits. Ernst also drove in two runs, while Kenkel knocked in one.
The Tigers got contributions throughout their lineup, including three hits each from Merced Ramirez, Jaydin Lindsay, Tymberlee Bentley and Tori Wendt. Lindsay also knocked in four runs, while Wendt drove in three during their 20-run game.
In game two, Camryn Goshorn started the night in the circle and got off to a strong start, pitching two scoreless innings.
The Cyclones scored first when they dropped nine runs in the bottom of the 2nd inning. Muenchrath, Teya Frohlich, and Haylee Ernst helped contribute to the offense with multiple runs batted in. Ella Plagman also had two hits and scored a run.
The Tigers came storming back in the top of the 3rd inning with six runs off Goshorn and later taking the lead in the top of the 4th with four runs to make it a 10-9 game.
The Cyclones tied the game in the bottom of the 4th at 10 when Frohlich knocked in Ellie Ineson from third base.
In the bottom of the 7th inning, the Cyclones were locked in an 11-11 tie with runners on second and third base when Aubree Wegner scored the game winning run, sending the Cyclones out of their dugout to celebrate their second win of the season.
“I’m super proud of them for game two,” Eckles said. “I’m super proud for how they persevered and won that game.”
Despite giving up 11 runs, Eckles was proud of how Goshorn managed to hang in the game and go the distance striking out six Tiger batters.
“That’s the first game she’s started and finished this season,” she said. “That was an accomplishment for her within itself, and the defense was right there behind her making plays.”
The Cyclones will return to action Tuesday night against the 10-12 Lewis Central Titans, whom they lost to 7-0 May 31 on the road. The Titans are led by Brooklyn Damgaard with 17 hits and Haylee Wilcox with 16 runs batted in. In pitching, Emerson Coziahr has 64 strikeouts with a 1.80 earned run average in 62 1/3 innings pitched.
“We’re looking forward to that a lot,” Muenchrath said. “We’d really like to get redemption against them.”