It was baptism by fire for a young varsity softball team on Friday when perennial powerhouse New Ulm Cathedral came to town and downed the Clippers 11-0 in five innings.
In the Clippers’ first at bat, Sophie Shouler smacked the ball to the leftfield fence and then stole third, but the next two batters struck out before a ground out ended the inning with the Greyhounds up 1-0.
Shouler's double was only hit the Clippers could muster.
“I thought our hitting would be a little bit stronger, said head coach Mike Barten. “But that it was only our third time outside is the one thing I had to remember. It was getting used to live pitching, and defensively it’s probably the best catcher we will see.”
The Clippers only reached a base four more times. Cassandra Connor got on board on an error in the second, Lexi Waldron walked in the third, Emily Kern waked in the fourth, and, off the bench, Alanna Hartman walked in the fifth. The Clippers struck out six times.
Cathedral added three runs in the second, another run in the fourth and six runs in the fifth.
Kern went the distance in the circle. She gave up 11 hits, five walks and struck out three. The Clipper defense had three miscues.
“It’s not going to determine how we are going to do this year,” Barten said. “We’re going to learn from it and move on and practice hard tomorrow and get better.”
The new head coach said his team would work on both the physical and mental aspects of being at the plate.
“Hitting mechanics as well as getting comfortable and confident...Some of the girls were probably a little nervous. It was their first time playing varsity. We’ll get better.”
Starting in the outfield were Greta Hahn in left, Emma Sweere in center and Waldron in right. Shouler (above) staffed third, Kaylee Karels was at short, Ashley Connor covered second, and Grayce Kortuem was at first. Harley Connor setup behind the plate.
Laci Hollerich subbed for Karels in the fourth, Hartman took over for Waldron in the fifth. Hailey Plonsky stepped in for Connor in the fifth.
The Clippers host Nicollet and Randolph in a round-robin tournament on Saturday.
Laci Hollerich took over at shortstop in the fourth.
Emily Kern went the distance.