Posted: 4/21/04

Softball team improving with each game

Joe Drennan
Sports Editor

Itís been a slow start for the Forest Lake High School softball team as they have dropped their first three games of the season.

Woodbury dominated the Rangers first game, winning 13-3 last Monday. The Rangers were just as unsuccessful against Hastings as Hastings won 9-0.

ìWeíve made tremendous improvement from game one to game two and game two to game three,î Rangers head coach Sue Stennes-Rogness said.

Stennes-Rogness says that the reason the team is getting better with each game is because the lineup is starting to come together after some players missed some time.

Jess Griffith pitched against Woodbury then was back on the mound against Hastings. Griffith had to leave the game in the third inning with a hand injury. Sophomore Marke Schuldt came into the game in relief and finished the game for the Rangers.

ìShe pitched admirably, Stennes-Rogness said of Schuldt. ìShe really bailed us out of a tough situation and gave us some good innings and thatís not easy.î

Griffith was back in the lineup for Mondayís game against Roseville and held the Raiders to only five runs in a 5-2 loss. The Rangers were able to score two earned runs off of Raider pitcher Katie Dalen who has signed on to play for the Gophers at the University of Minnesota next season.

Katie Whiteman knocked in the two Rangers runs with a bases loaded single.

ìThat hit was clutch,î Stennes-Rogness said. ìWe had the bases loaded and we needed RBIís in that situation, and she got them for us.î

Although it may look like the Rangers are struggling to produce runs, Stennes-Rogness is not too worried about it.

ìIronically I think that weíre going to have a stronger offensive team this year than we have had in some time,î Stennes-Rogness said. ìThe foundation is pitching, then defense, and then offense. I think one of the main reasons our games have gotten better is our pitching has gotten better and weíve given up fewer walks and fewer hits.î

The Rangers next game is at the Richfield Invitational on Saturday. The next home game isnít until May 3 when the Rangers host Park (Cottage Grove).

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