The host Soldotna softball team took a 5-1 lead after two innings in posting an 11-6 victory over Kenai Central on Thursday in Northern Lights Conference action at the Soldotna Little League fields.
The Stars move to 1-1 in the league and 4-5 overall, while the Kardinals are 0-3 in the league and 3-8 overall. SoHi avenges a 21-20 nonconference loss to Kenai on April 25.
Brook Fischer was a big reason the Stars got off to such a quick start. In the first inning, she had a double to score three runs. In the second inning, Fischer had a double to score two runs. She would finish with three doubles and six RBIs.
“She definitely had a phenomenal time at bat,” Soldotna coach Mike Cruz said. “We actually did a good job of getting the runners in front of her on base, and she pulled through with great base hitting.”
Bailey Conner scored four runs in the game, three on Fischer doubles.
“We just bumped her up to the second spot in the order based on her on-base percentage,” Cruz said. “She definitely pulled through.”
While Cruz was happy with the way everybody on the team played, the third player he gave special mention is pitcher Miah Mead. She went the distance on the mound and held steady in the final three innings as the Kardinals tried to rally.
In the fifth, Kenai got two runs to cut the lead to 9-4, but it could have been much worse as the Kardinals left the bases loaded.
“We got off to a good start with her pitching,” Cruz said. “It was a little bit of a struggle there in the fifth inning. But she pulled through and buckled down. After the meeting on the mound, she said she was still good to go and I had confidence in her arm.”
After the game, Kenai coach Bob Frates said he is looking forward to hosting the Stars on Saturday at 1 p.m.
“You can always expect a battle out of these two teams,” Frates said. “It’s awesome. We got them the first game and they got us here in the second game, so we’ll see what the third game brings.”
Libby Brinner pitched the first 3 2-3 innings for the Kards and gave up eight runs.
“Libby pitched exceptionally well,” Frates said. “She’s coming off the weekend, when she pitched like five or 5 1-2 games. So she’s a little tired.”
Caitlin Crabb pitched 1 1-3 innings for the Kards and yielded three runs, while Lola McEwen pitched a scoreless sixth.
Soldotna first baseman Lexi Stormo had nine putouts as the Stars infielders gobbled up balls all game.
“We could not catch a break,” Frates said. “It was like every one of them was hit to their infielder.”
Also for the Stars, Emily Hinz had three hits and two runs, Mead scored two runs, Stormo had three hits and two RBIs, Kiara Forkner had two hits and Alyssa McDonald had two hits.
For the Kardinals, Zoey Riley had two hits and three runs, Maggie Grenier had three hits and three runs, Giselle Thomas had two hits and two RBIs, and Kyana Giriskevich had two hits.
Kenai Central pitcher Libby Brinner delivers to Soldotna on Thursday, May 5, 2022, at the Soldotna Little League fields in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
