Riding the arm of their junior pitcher, who has over 1000 strikeouts to her name since when she joined the varsity team as a seventh grader, the United South Central Rebels came to town on Monday with a 7-0 record.
They left 8-0, easily handing the Clipper girls their first loss of the season with an 11-0 win in five innings.
While the Clippers only managed one hit against the USC stars’ 60 plus MPH throws—including a wicked riser—a single by Delaney Thompson to start the fourth, their defense was far from stellar with their two untimely errors, both with two outs, costing five runs.
“Their pitcher is a great pitcher,” said head coach April Thompson. “And we have some work to do to cleanup in the field.”
Thompson, who was in the circle for all five, gave up nine hits, walked nine—with three walks allowing a run—hit one batter and struck out five. The Clippers did manage to strand 10.
Another highlight was two diving catches by shortstop Kaitlyn Flowers.
When she hit into a fielder’s choice where Thomson was forced out at second, Keira Schipper was the only other Clipper to get on base. Schipper also grounded out in the first, the only other time the Clippers put the ball in play. They struck out 14 times, six times watching.
Despite the loss, it was a good schooling for the Clippers and an example that they can carry going forward.
Rain postponed tonight’s (Thursday’s) home doubleheader vs. Nicollet to May 6. The Clippers are scheduled to play two games at Caswell Park in North Mankato on Friday: 5:00 p.m. vs Blooming Prairie and 7:00 p.m. vs NRHEG.
Above: Shortstop Kaitlyn Flowers reaches out for the first of two diving catches she made.
