Charger Softball Goes Over .500 With 10-1 Win; Seniors Honored

On a night in which the six Charger seniors were recognized, the ACGC softball team extended its winning streak to three games with a 10-1 non-conference win over Southwest Valley (Corning) of the Western Iowa Conference. The win also enabled the team to inch over the .500 mark at twelve wins and eleven losses for the season.

The game was scoreless through three innings, as Charger hurler Emerson Van Meter and Timberwolf pitcher Ryanne Mullen battled in an early inning pitcher's dual. All of that changed when the Chargers scored four runs in the fourth inning and added four more in the fifth to take command of the game.

The home team scored its first four runs on just two hits, as Muller walked the first three batters she faced in the fourth inning. Mady Kelsey, Tori Fuller, and Mersadez Richter all drew bases on balls to start the inning.

After Kylie Young and Olivia Van Meter both flew out, it appeared the Chargers might strand all three runners on base. But Emerson Van Meter had other ideas, as she smacked a double into left field to score all three base runners. Sophie Dorsey followed up with a single to score Emerson and the Chargers went up 4-0.

After the Timberwolves scored their only run in the fifth inning, ACGC countered with another four run inning. Kelsey walked for the third time in the game and Fuller also drew a base on balls. With pinch runner Jenna Rowley on third and Fuller on second base, the SWV shortstop booted Kylie Young's ground ball, allowing Rowley to score.

After Olivia Van Meter walked, sister Emerson again came up with double to score three more base runners and increase her RBI total to six for the game! The last Charger scoring came in their final at bat when Jorja Hoover doubled, and Kelsey smacked her sixth home run of the season to increase the lead to 10-1.

"It was nice to honor the six seniors tonight," Coach Van Meter offered after the game. They have put in a lot of time and effort into this program.

"We played well tonight," he continued. "We need to carry this momentum into the end of the season and play strong in our last five conference games."

In addition to her six RBI's, Emerson Van Meter threw a four hitter, fanned five T'wolves and walked two. It was her second consecutive complete game in the pitching circle.

The six Chargers who are completing their final season in the black and gold are Tori Fuller, Jorja Hoover, Mady Kelsey, EmmaKay McClain, Olivia Van Meter, and Kylie Young. In this observer's view, they form the backbone of this team, and have made significant contributions in improving the Charger program.

Score by inning:

SWV 000 010 0--1 6 1

ACGC 000 442 x--10 6 2

Hitting: (AB-R-H-RBI) Dorsey(3-0-1-0) McClain (4-0-0-0) Hoover(4-1-1-0) Kelsey(1-1-1-2)

Rowley (0-1-0-0) Coffman(0-1-0-0) Fuller(2-2-0-0) Richter(3-1-1-0) Young (3-1-0-1) OVanMeter

(2-1-0-0) EVanMeter(3-1-2-6)

Pitching: (IP-H-R-ER-SO-BB) EVanMeter (7.00-4-1-1-5-2)