Owatonna knocks off No. 1 Mankato West
Despite having seven losses, the Owatonna Huskies softball team could very easily be undefeated. Six of their seven defeats have been by only one or two runs and have been outscored by only 13 runs in those contests.
When undefeated and No. 1 ranked Mankato West came to Morehouse Park on Thursday for a doubleheader, few thought this would be a cakewalk for the Scarlets. Owatonna gave West all they could handle and more.
Tiana Blazek held West to five hits and delivered the game-winning RBI as Owatonna handed the Scarlets their first setback 2-1 in the second game of the twin bill.
“I’m so excited,” said Blazek following the game. “Our team needed this win. It feels so good to see this happen.”
West senior Lexi Schoper pitched all seven innings of the first game, a 7-4 West win, and the first six innings of the nightcap before being pulled for Briggs Carlson.
The Huskies pounced on the new pitcher.
Riley Sheehy led off the seventh with a single to center and Ellie Rohman followed with a bunt single. Millie Wanous launched a shot to right that left a mix-up on the base paths. Sheehy was on her way home, but put on the brakes midway between third and home. Rohman was on her way to third while Wanous went to second. This left both Sheehy and Rohman on third base. In that instance, Rohman is declared out while Rohman remains on third. Jamie Davison walked to load the bases for Blazek. She hit a grounder to Schoper at shortstop who threw home in an attempt to get Sheehy, but it was late and the Huskies had their win.
“They’re really excited,” said head coach Brian Pilcher. “You always have that respect for West. They are ranked No. 1 and at top of the Big 9. This is a big win for our program.”
Wanous was a monster at the plate in both games as she was retired only once going a combined 6-for-7, including 4-for-4 in the second game. Davison and Blazek also had two hits in the nightcap.