Adapted softball: Thunderbolts start season 2-0

The South Washington County Thunderbolts adapted softball team brought out the lumber to start the year.

The ‘Bolts went 2-0 in the first two games of 2012 beating South Suburban 15-2 in the opener, followed by a 10-8 win at New Prague.

“We have a new influx of players,” Thunderbolts head coach Denny Larson said. “We have a good infield and some big hitters.”

In the season-opening win over South Suburban, the Thunderbolts reached the maximum of five runs in an inning three times.

Freshman Tristan Rankin led the way for the ‘Bolts going 3-for-3 with two home runs, a triple, three runs scored and six RBI. But Rankin wasn’t the only one to swing a hot bat. Freshman Lucas Fiedler was 3-for-3 with two runs and an RBI, freshman Lucas Coy went 3-for-3 with three RBI, sophomore John Stutelberg was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and a double, freshman Dylan Kubitschek was 2-for-3 with a homerun, a run scored and two RBI, junior Alice Liu was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI and sophomore Amanda Henderson was 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Henderson also allowed just five hits and one earned run from the mound.

Larson said he was happy with the team’s defense in the win as well. The ‘Bolts had only two errors in the game.

“Defense is so important,” he said. “If we play defense like that we’ll win most of those games.”

In game No. 2, South Washington County’s defense wasn’t as good, but the offense provided enough of a spark to get the ‘Bolts the win.

The Thunderbolts had 15 errors in the game, Larson said, which was too many.

However, South Washington County went up 4-0 in the first inning and never looked back.

Rankin again led the way from the plate, going 3-for-3 with a homerun, a triple, a double, three runs scored and three RBI. He was just a single away from the cycle.

Also for the ‘Bolts, Coy was 3-for-3 with a double and an RBI, Stutelberg and Kubitschek were each 2-ro-3 with one RBI and Liu was 1-for-2 with a walk and two runs scored. Henderson earned the win on the mound, striking out six, to improve to 2-0 on the year.

The Thunderbolts took on powerhouse Dakota United on Monday after the Bulletin went to press. Next, the ‘Bolts play at Minneapolis Roosevelt on Wednesday.

Tags: sports, softball, prep, updates