Villisca’s bats cold as Stanton sweeps
VILLISCA - The classic Stanton-Villisca rivalry continued as the softball and baseball season opened for both teams Thursday.
In the early game, first-year Stanton softball Head Coach Jason Lura earned his first career win as freshman Roey Sink struck out 10 Blue Jay batters in Stanton's 9-3 win.
“It was good getting that first one,” Lura said. “We’re pretty excited about the team this year, with some of the younger players that are coming up. We’ll have some areas that we need to improve, but we are in a good spot to start the year.”
The Viqueens gave Sink a quick lead, scoring two runs in the first, followed by a four-run third inning. In the third, the Blue Jays made a pitching change, from Jill Vanderhoof to Katelyn Kernen, which slowed down the Viqueen offense.
The Viqueens took advantage of six errors and six walks in their season opening win.
Sink also helped her own cause at the plate, batting two-of-four with three RBI.
Stanton took advantage of Villisca starting pitcher Jill Vanderhoof's wild start, walking a total of six times and scoring four runs in the first two innings.
The Viqueens' only senior, catcher Jordan Sorensen also added two RBI while batting one-of-two, with one walk.
Vanderhoof led Villisca hitters with two hits, one RBI, while scoring one run. Freshman Morganne Haer and Taylor Burgess each had an RBI for the Blue Jays in the loss.
In the later game, both teams were wondering how their younger players would step in to fill some big shoes from last season.
The Vikings came out swinging as they combined for 10 runs on 10 hits with six walks in Stanton's 10-0 win.
The big hit of the game was a Tyler Havrum's three-run home run to left field in the third inning, hitting in Lucas Oster and Alex Whigham.
Tanner Stubbendeck, who was a game-time decision as starting pitcher, threw a gem against the struggling Blue Jays, allowing zero wins on three hits, with 12 of 15 outs coming by way of strikeout.
The Vikings also got production out of some of their newcomers, with Jordan Williams and Jared Meisinger, who combined for three of five and one walk. Williams had a double and two RBI.
Following the win over Villisca, the Vikings offense blitzed Clarinda Academy, winning 17-4.
Whigham and Oster led the way for the Vikings, combining for seven RBI on five hits, while Greg Focht was a perfect two-for-two, scoring two of the 17 runs.
Both Villisca and Stanton play Essex and East Mills this week as their Corner Conference games continue.