Cats sweep Riders

MINSTER - Minster took both ends of a cold-shortened doubleheader over St. Marys, 9-4 and 13-7, Saturday at Four Seasons Park in Minster.

With game-time temperatures in the mid 30s both coaches agreed to push the start to mid afternoon and play two five-inning games.

The Wildcats plated runs in every at-bat but one to push their record to 5-2 on the season with the sweep.

The Roughriders, who were shut out in two of their first three games this season, showed some signs of life at the plate with 12 hits on the day but still fell to 0-5.

Minster never trailed in the opener. Karly Richard singled to lead off the bottom of the first, stole second, advanced to third on a ground out and then scored the game's first run on a balk by St. Marys pitcher Rylee Burd.

The Wildcats plated three more runs in the bottom of the second to take a 4-0 lead. A walk and doubles by Laney Hemmelgarn and Richard scored the first two runs. Danielle Barhorst drove in the third run with a single.

St. Marys cut its deficit in half with a two-run double by Taylor Shimp in the top of the third inning, but Minster got those runs back in the bottom of the inning thanks to a double by Alice Schmiesing and three St. Marys errors.

Two-out hits by Jenna Poeppelman and Alice Schmiesing helped the Wildcats score three more runs in the fourth to take a 9-2 lead.

The Riders rallied in the fifth as Kylie Lauth led off with her second hit of the game and then scored one out later on a single by Lexi Fowler. Alyssa Alexander singled to score Fowler. But one out later Minster catcher Emma Schmiesing ended the threat and the game with a diving catch in foul territory.

Poeppelman picked up the mound win for Minster. She scattered six hits, struck out three and walked two. Burd took the loss for St. Marys.

Richard paced the Cats at the plate, going 3-for-3 and scoring three runs. Alice Schmiesing contributed two doubles and two RBIs.

Minster rallied from behind with seven runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to take the nightcap.

The Riders took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning, but Minster plated its first three batters in the bottom half of the frame to take a 3-1 lead.

Alexander led off the St. Marys second with a solo home run, but Minster answered with three more runs to take a 6-2 lead.

Minster's starting pitcher Laney Hemmelgarn walked three of the first five hitters she faced in the fourth. The walks and three Minster errors led to five unearned runs as the Riders took a 7-6 lead.

Poeppelman came on in relief to get the final out of the inning, and she followed with a perfect fifth to get her second win of the day.

Defense was also a problem for the Riders in the bottom of the fourth. Six of Minster's seven runs in the inning were unearned.

Burd pitched the first two innings for St. Marys while Maddy Jones took the loss in relief.

Taylor Homan paced the Cats at the plate going 3-for-3 with two RBIs. Barhorst also collected three hits for Minster.

Lauth had a pair of hits for the Riders, while Alexander and Haley Ellis each knocked in a pair of runs.

Both teams are back in action today. Minster travels to Lima Central Catholic and St. Marys hosts Fort Recovery.