SG/C shortstop Libby Augedahl prepares to throw out this Houston runner at third during action last week. Also shown is Lions second baseman Amber Ideker.                          Photo by Charlie Warner 

By Tom Murphy
Special to the Argus

Last week, the Spring Grove/Caledonia softball team beat the two opponents thought to be the sub-section’s top contenders in the pre-season.   The Lions are now unbeaten in conference play.

Lions top Houston

On Tuesday, the Lions upended Houston in Caledonia in a 14-13 free for all that was determined largely by high winds. 

“I don’t know when I’ve played in a more windy game, or a longer game,” commented coach Shelly Anderson.  Look at these statistics.  The Lions had 19 hits, had three walks, and reached base on two Houston errors.  On the other side, Houston had 10 hits, received  13 walks, and also got on base on two SG/C errors.  The Warriors left nine runners on base and Houston stranded 13 of its runners.

Cassie Gran took the win while Cally Snyder took the loss.  The pitchers were facing strong head winds.  “It was anyone’s guess where fly balls would carry,” Anderson said.

It was exciting right down to the end.  In the top of the eighth inning, a base running mistake for Houston cost the Hurricanes the go-ahead run.  That brought up the Lions.  Cassie Gran led off with a wind-aided single.  Libby Augedahl followed with a ball driven to the gap that brought in Gran with the game winner.

For SG/C, Gran and Augedahl went 4-for-5 including a double for each.  Miranda Lager went 4-for-5, also.  Gran scored five runs as the first three batters combined for 12 hits.  Maria Betz and Amber Ideker each had triples.

For Houston, Amber Wieser was 3-for-5 with two triples and three RBI’s.  Jen Ulman had a double for the Hurricanes.

Girls beat Hope Lutheran 2-1

On Thursday, there was nothing less than a drizzle throughout the entire game as the Warriors’ Gran bested possibly the best pitcher in the sub-section and won 2-1. 

“It was well played, despite the conditions,” Anderson said.

The Lions got their run in the third inning when Gran led off with a triple and scored on a passed ball.  The clinching run came in the sixth when Lager walked and moved to second on another passed ball.  Jenna Schmitz singled Lager to third and she scored when the catcher dropped a called third strike and beat the return throw to the plate.

Gran had 12 strikeouts and only gave up three walks. 

“Both pitchers had impressive strikeout and walk numbers,” observed Anderson.  The difference was that SG/C had one more walk and had one less error.  Gran had two of the team’s three hits.

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