Softball Recap: Shelby Starts Season with Win Against Northwestern

Shelby had to travel to play their first game of the season, but the final result was worth the trip. Everything went their way against the Northwestern Huskies on Wednesday as the Shelby Whippets made off with a 16-8 victory. The Whippets have seen this before: they got the W the last time they saw the Huskies, too.

Alyssa Booker made a splash no matter where she played. She pitched three innings while giving up no earned runs off five hits. What's more, she posted two strikeouts, the most she's had since back in April of 2024. She was also solid in the batter's box, scoring two runs while going 2-for-5.

Natalie Kennard

Hits (Career)

03/19/25 @ Northwestern	4
05/16/24 @ Pleasant	3
05/09/24 vs Pleasant	3
04/29/24 @ Upper Sandusky	3
04/22/24 vs Clyde	3

In other batting news, Braylee Sturts and Natalie Kennard did most of the damage at the plate: Sturts went a perfect 4-for-4 with one home run, four RBI, and two runs, while Kennard scored three runs and stole Two bases. while going 4-for-5. Those four hits gave Kennard a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Reece Friend, who scored a run and stole a base while going 2-for-4.

Both squads are looking forward to the support of their home crowds in their upcoming games. Shelby will look to take advantage of their home field for the first time this season as they take on Huron at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday. As for Northwestern, they will host Loudonville at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday.