Softball Recap: Kingman/Norwich Sets Scoring Season-High Against Belle Plaine

Winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Kingman/Norwich). They put the hurt on the Belle Plaine Dragons with a sharp 19-2 victory on Thursday. The Eagles have beaten the Dragons the last four times they've met, but they better watch out: this was the closest the Dragons has come to flipping the script.

Haidyn Hartley was a major factor while hitting and pitching. She tossed three innings while giving up no earned runs off four hits. She has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up more than one walk in four consecutive appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, getting on base in three of her four plate appearances with three RBI and one double.

In other batting news, Ryan Schreiner and Parker Beam did most of the damage at the plate: Schreiner scored three runs while getting on base in three of her four plate appearances, while Beam scored two runs while going 2-for-3. Beam also put up a double, which was her first of the season. Another player making a difference was Addyson Belt, who scored three runs and stole a base while getting on base in two of her three plate appearances.

Kingman/Norwich was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .421. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .310 or higher in five consecutive contests.

Kingman/Norwich's win bumped their record up to 6-1. As for Belle Plaine, they are on a seven-game losing streak (dating back to last season) that has dropped them down to 0-6.

Both squads are looking forward to the support of their home crowds in their upcoming games. Kingman/Norwich will welcome Conway Springs at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. The Eagles' pitchers better be ready for this one: the Cardinals have averaged an impressive 8.8 runs per game this season. As for Belle Plaine, they will be playing at home against Wellington at 3:00 p.m. on Friday.