Softball roundup: Kenai splits with Palmer

The Kenai Central and Palmer softball teams split Thursday in Northern Lights Conference action at the Steve Shearer Memorial Ball Park in Kenai.

The Moose won the first game 9-5 before the Kardinals came back for an 11-7 victory. Kenai is now 1-1 in the league and 3-5 overall.

In the first game, Camryn Frank led the Moose to the victory with her pitching and hitting. Frank limited Kenai to five runs in seven innings, and also went 4 for 4 with three runs and three RBIs.

Palmer coach Duane McQuillin said Frank is probably one of the top two pitchers in the conference when she is on and healthy. McQuillin added that Frank was at the middle range of her abilities Thursday.

Kenai coach Bob Frates gave credit to Frank, but also thought his team could have hit better.

“We just could not find our rhythm at the plate all day,” he said. “We didn’t generate much offense.”

The coach added the Lola McEwen was solid on the mound for the Kardinals, especially considering Kenai had some costly errors.

“She’s consistent, very consistent,” Frates said of McEwen. “She pitched really well.”

Also for Palmer, Maddie Johnson had two runs, and Lily Meier was 3 for 4 with three RBIs.

McQuillin, who said his team was missing six players Thursday due to injury and school obligations, said the strong hitting was key.

“You can play defense and have the best pitcher, but if you can’t get on base and you can’t score, you can’t win,” he said.

In the second game, the Kardinals were able to get to Frank for 11 runs in seven innings. Meanwhile, Kyana Griskevich was able to limit the Moose to seven runs while striking out 10.

The game was close throughout, with Kenai leading 4-3 after three innings. Kenai, the visiting team in the second game, led 7-3 after 4 1-2 innings, but Palmer had it tied after five innings. The Kards scored four in the top of the seventh to provide the difference.

Kenai got a big spark from the top two hitters in its order. Kailey Stynsberg was 3 for 5 with three runs, while Avery Ellis was 5 for 5 with two runs and four RBIs. Also for Kenai, Maggie Grenier had two runs and Shelby Hemphill was 2 for 4 with two RBIs.

Johnson had three runs for the Moose.

Kodiak sweeps Soldotna

Kodiak notched a pair of victories over Soldotna on Thursday at the Soldotna Little League fields. The first game, a 13-4 contest, was for the Northern Lights Conference. The second game, which was 22-11 in five innings, was nonconference. SoHi is now 0-2 in the league and 1-6-1 overall.

In the conference game, Kodiak led 8-0 after four innings. SoHi cut it to 8-4 after five, but the Bears were able to score five in the top of the seventh.

Brook Fischer had a pair of RBIs for the Stars, while Kiara “KiKi” Forkner was 2 for 3. Isabelle Cruz went the distance for the Stars on the mound, giving up the 13 runs on 12 hits.

In the second game, Kodiak again broke out the bats. The Bears led 9-5 after two innings and 22-9 after four innings.

Alyssa McDonald had a big game at the plate for Soldotna, going 3 for 4 with three runs and four RBIs. McDonald also blasted a home run out of the park. Also for SoHi, Londyn Deborski was 2 for 4, Bailey Conner was 2 for 2, Makynzi Deborski was 2 for 3 with two runs, and Isabella Gares had two runs.

Bash on the Bay 2023

Homer opened the Bash on the Bay tournament with an 8-0 loss to Sitka, which dropped the Mariners to 2-6 overall this season.