Northwest Softball Advances To Final Day Of State Softball

(Hastings, NE) - The Northwest Vikings softball team on Friday would split a pair of games at the state softball tournament. In game one, Northwest couldn't keep up with Gretna East  and fell 9-3. 

Gretna East got on the board in the first inning after Amanda Weis hit a solo home run to left field.

Northwest jumped into the lead in the top of the third when Abby Dinkelman doubled, scoring one run, and Graclyn Simmons homered to center field, scoring two runs.

Gretna East jumped into the lead in the bottom of the third when Weis homered to left field, scoring three runs, and an error scored one run.

Brynlea Beyer earned the win for Gretna East . The starter surrendered five hits and three runs over seven innings, striking out eight and walking three. Simmons led things off in the circle for Northwest. The starter surrendered eight hits and nine runs (eight earned) over six innings, striking out nine and walking four.

Simmons drove the middle of the lineup, leading Northwest with two runs batted in. The number three hitter went 1-for-3 on the day. Dinkelman set the tone at the top of the lineup, leading Northwest with two hits in four at bats.

Weis and Kaylin Hinerman were a force together in the lineup, as they each collected two hits for Gretna East . Weis led Gretna East  with four runs batted in. The shortstop went 2-for-2 on the day.

In game two of the day for Northwest that started after 8:00 pm Northwest ran away from Wahoo, 12-0. 

Northwest scored 11 runs in the first inning, which helped them defeat Wahoo  12-0 on Friday at Smith Softball Complex. Naleah Baier singled, scoring one run, Becca Dinkelman doubled, scoring one run, an error scored one run, Lexi Ross singled, scoring two runs, an error scored one run, Abby Dinkelman doubled, scoring one run, Baier singled, scoring one run, Graclyn Simmons tripled, scoring one run, and Dinkelman homered to center field, scoring two runs.

A single by Simmons extended the Northwest lead to 12-0 in the bottom of the third inning.

Simmons led things off in the circle for Northwest. The pitcher gave up one hit and zero runs over three innings, striking out five and walking one. Emma Meyer started the game for Wahoo . The hurler gave up eight hits and 10 runs (one earned) over two-thirds of an inning, striking out none and walking none.

Northwest accumulated 11 hits in the game. Dinkelman provided pop in the middle of the lineup, and led Northwest with three runs batted in. The second baseman went 2-for-2 on the day. Simmons, Dinkelman, Dinkelman, and Baier each collected two hits for Northwest. Northwest didn't commit a single error in the field. Karstyn Zuelow had the most chances in the field with six.

Alivia Shada led Wahoo  with one hit in one at bat.

The Vikings now advance to the bottom bracket final vs. Gretna on Saturday starting at 3:00 pm. The Vikings will have to defeat the Dragons twice to advance to the championship game on Monday. 

Listen live Saturday afternoon on 103.1 FM and 1031kjcountry.com.