Northwest Softball Punches Ticket To State

(Grand Island, NE) - (GAME ONE) - Graclyn Simmons was dominant in the circle, as the pitcher rang up 10 strikeouts in a Northwest 9-1 victory over Scottsbluff on Friday at the Vets Complex. Simmons gave up two hits and one run over five innings while walking none.

Northwest  got on the board in the first inning after Karstyn Zuelow singled, scoring one run.

A single by Naleah Baier extended the Northwest lead to 3-0 in the bottom of the second inning.

A walk by Abby Dinkelman, a single by Baier, and a ground out by Simmons helped Northwest  extend their early lead in the third.

Scottsbluff scored one run in the top of the fourth on a solo home run to left field by Clare Schlothauer.

Danielle Watters took the loss for Scottsbluff. The pitcher went four innings, surrendering nine runs (eight earned) on nine hits, striking out two and walking five.

Baier went 2-for-3 at the plate and led the team with four runs batted in. Lauren Jones led Northwest with two walks. Overall, the team had a strong eye at the plate, accumulating five walks for the game.

Schlothauer led Scottsbluff with one run batted in. The infielder went 1-for-2 on the day. Schlothauer and Jaylee Sarchet each collected one hit for Scottsbluff. Scottsbluff turned one double play in the game.

(GAME TWO) - Abby Dinkelman hit two home runs and drove in four as Northwest defeated Scottsbluff11-0 on Friday at the Vets Complex. Dinkelman homered in the first and fourth innings.

Northwest were the first to get on the board in the first when Dinkelman hit a solo home run to center field.

Northwest scored five runs on five hits in the top of the second inning. Dinkelman doubled, scoring two runs; an error scored one run; Graclyn Simmons doubled, scoring one run; and Becca Dinkelman singled, scoring one run.

Northwest scored one run in the top of the fourth on a solo home run to left field by Dinkelman.

Northwest added four more runs in the top of the fifth inning on three hits. Simmons drew a walk, scoring one run, and Dinkelman homered to left field, scoring three runs.

Simmons earned the win for Northwest. The starting pitcher surrendered two hits and zero runs over five innings, striking out eight and walking one. Clare Schlothauer took the loss for Bearcats Varsity Softball. The pitcher went four and two-thirds innings, giving up 11 runs (eight earned) on 11 hits, striking out seven and walking five.

Northwest piled up 12 hits in the game. Dinkelman and Dinkelman each drove in four runs for Northwest. Simmons paced Northwest with two walks. Overall, the team had patience at the plate, tallying five walks for the game. Northwest turned one double play in the game. Northwest was sure-handed and didn't commit a single error. Karstyn Zuelow made the most plays with eight.

Schlothauer and Ella Marlin each collected one hit for Bearcats Varsity Softball.

The Vikings are now 22-3, punching their ticket to the state tournament that will take place next week in Hastings starting on Wednesday, October 14th.