Kiel hasn't had much luck against New Holstein recently, but that could start to change on Thursday. The Raiders will welcome the Huskies at 4:30 p.m.
Kiel is headed into Thursday's matchup looking for a big change in momentum after dropping their third straight game on Tuesday. They were a single run away from ending the streak, but they lost a 6-5 heartbreaker at the hands of Two Rivers.
Liz Neils put in work no matter where she played. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out ten batters over six innings while giving up just two earned (and four unearned) runs off seven hits (and only one walk). She has been consistent: she hasn't given up more than two walks in six consecutive appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-4 with two doubles.
In other batting news, Emma Neils made the most of her time at bat despite the final result and went 1-for-2 with two stolen bases and one run.
Meanwhile, New Holstein came tearing into Tuesday's contest with seven straight wins (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 4.3 runs), and they left with even more momentum. They never let the Falcons get on the board and left with a 15-0 win. The result was nothing new for the Huskies, who have now won five games by nine runs or more so far this season.
Like Kiel, New Holstein also got a great game from a two-way player: Makayla Meyer. Throwing, Meyer pitched three innings while giving up no earned runs off two hits. Meanwhile, Makya Pendleton tossed one inning while giving up no earned runs off one hit. At bat, Meyer went 2-for-3 with three stolen bases, three runs, and one RBI, while Pendleton got on base in three of her four plate appearances with three runs and one stolen base. That's the most runs Pendleton has posted over her last 11 matchups.
In other batting news, Jenna Horn was incredible, going 2-for-3 with three runs, one stolen base, and two RBI. Another player making a difference was Emma Manderscheid, who went 1-for-3 with one triple, one stolen base, and one run.
New Holstein always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .576. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Sheboygan Falls only posted an OBP of .267.
New Holstein pushed their record up to 10-4 with the victory, which was their eighth straight at home dating back to last season. Those home wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 8.6 runs over those games. As for Kiel, their loss dropped their record down to 4-10.
Kiel came up short against New Holstein when the teams last played last Tuesday, falling 4-1. Will the Raiders have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check MaxPreps after the action for a full breakdown of the game and more softball content.
