Joel Karnick
The Butternut Mercer Pioneer softball team traveled to Grand View on Monday night for a conference matchup against the Drummond Lumberjills. Drummond gets the scoring started in the bottom of the first with 3 runs and the Pioneers answer in the top of the 2nd inning to plate 2 with a big 2 out 2 RBI hit by Jenny Kopatek. Drummond scores 4 more in the bottom of the frame to push their lead to 7-2. The Pioneers start chipping away with a run the 3rd inning after a leadoff double by Anya Brandenberg who then scores on a Fielder’s Choice by Josie Wegner. Drummond squeezes in a run to make it 8-3 In the 4th inning, Brandenberg gets a clutch 2 out, 2 RBI hit to cut the lead to 8-5.. Drummond again answers and scores twice in the bottom of the 4th and both teams score 1 in the 5th to make it 10-6. The Pioneers mounted another rally in the top of the 6th inning scoring 4 runs. Leadoff hit by Rylinn Rossie and walk to Josie Wegner followed by a big 2 RBI double by Anna Schloer. Jersey Polencheck works a walk and both runners advance on wild pitches and then both score on another wild pitch, cutting the lead to 11-10. Drummond with another huge clutch 2 out hit with the bases loaded as they score 4 to push the lead back to 5. The Pioneers get a smash to the fence by Lizzie Pritzl who comes all the way around to score to start the 7th inning but the rally ends there for the final score of 15-11. “I was proud of how the girls kept battling back, but ultimately our defense really let us down today. All game long we kept giving Drummond more opportunities and they definitely took advantage. The energy from both teams at the end of the game made for a great game to watch. Some really big clutch hitting on both sides.” Coach Glenn Wegner. Up next for Butternut Mercer will be the Prentice Buccaneers on Friday in Butternut.
