STURGIS, SD – The Sturgis Scooper girls softball squad used timely hitting and dominant pitching to defeat the Yankton Gazelles on Thursday at the softball complex.
The Scoopers got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first inning as Skyler Ross scored on a double by Carsyn Anderson. Sturgis led 1-0 headed into the second.
Sturgis added a run in the second inning when Bella Tobias cracked a single, scoring Abigail Tweedy, making the score 2-0. The Scoopers extended their lead to 3-0 on a sacrifice bunt by Avery Anderson that scored Avreigh Long from third base.
Abigail Tweedy held the Gazelles in check with pinpoint pitching until the top of the fourth, when she walked lead off hitter, Peyton Moser. The next batter, Emma Herrboldt, saw a pitch she liked and crushed it over the outfield fence, cutting into the Scooper lead with a two-run HR. Sturgis led 3-2 after four innings.
The Scoopers added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth, when Grace Kiekpe hit an RBI single, scoring Avery Anderson to give Sturgis a 4-2 victory.
Tweedy pitched a complete game two-hitter for Sturgis, striking out 15 and walking six. The Scoopers pounded out eight hits and were led by Skyler Ross, who went 2-for-4 at the plate with one run scored.
Tori Hansen took the loss for Yankton (3-5). Herrboldt and McKenna Hacecky each had a hit for the Gazelles.
Sturgis improves to 2-6 on the season and are in action next on Friday as they host Sioux Falls O’Gorman.
