G.R./GNK softball each win two of three over the weekend

Greenway-Nashwauk-Keewatin 11, Deer River 1

Greenway-Nashwauk-Keewatin 14, Mesabi East 3

International Falls 7, Greenway-Nashwauk-Keewatin 5

The GNK Titans softball team went 2-1 in three games last Friday, taking out Deer River and Mesabi East before falling to I’Falls in their final matchup.

The Titans were swinging a hot bat in the first game, collecting 14 hits including two doubles, two triples, and Ava Herr’s home run against the Warriors. Ava Johnson was on the mound and was dominant, striking out 11 while allowing only a single hit and run.

Johnson was on the mound in the follow-up game against Mesabi East, striking out another 11 batters while allowing six hits and three earned runs in five innings for the win. Johnson also hit a two-run double to boost her own effort on the mound. Senior Cecelia Vekich homered against Mesabi East, while going 2-2 with three RBI to lead the Titans in the second win of the day.

The Titans faced the Broncos in the final game on Friday, but were not able to hold off the Broncos in a 7-5 loss at Jen Guyer Field in Coleraine.

International Falls got on the board first, getting a 3-0 in the top of the first inning. Vekich hit her second homer of the day in the second inning and Ava Johnson would follow up with one of her own in the fourth inning. Herr tied the game 5-5 in the bottom of the fifth with a single, but the Broncos would retake the lead in the seventh and close out the game. Johnson was on the mound in the third game, but lost after seven complete innings, allowing nine hits and five earned runs while striking out eight.

In Grand Rapids:

International Falls 1, Grand Rapids 0

Grand Rapids 14, Chisholm 5

Grand Rapids 6, Duluth Denfeld 4

The Thunderhawks softball team were in action Friday, winning two games including the tournament’s consolation championship to improve to 3-5 this year. Grand Rapids lost their opener 1-0 to International Falls despite Addie Linder being magnificent on the mound. Linder allowed one hit and one run to the Broncos, but that was all International Falls needed. She struck out 12 batters in seven innings in a dominant performance.

The Thunderhawks won convincingly in the follow-up against Chisholm, dropping the Bluestreaks 14-5. Macey Patrow was on the mound for Grand Rapids, pitching seven innings and allowing five runs, six hits, two walks, and seven k’s. Addie Linder hit three doubles and Claire Larson was a homer shy of the cycle in the nine-run win over Chisholm.

With the win, the Thunderhawks advanced to the consolation final against Duluth Denfeld. Rose Ruzynski pitched the start of the game, throwing the first two innings before head coach Danny Potter handed the ball to his ace, Linder, to close out the game.

Linder entered the game in the third while down 1-0 to the Hunters, but kept them pretty quiet while the Thunderhawks took the game 6-4.

Early in the season, Potter and the Thunderhawks have leaned heavily on Linder both on the mound and at the plate. Just a week ago Linder had her appendix removed, but she was back in action just a week later.

“She is a key element for us,” said Potter. She is a fierce competitor and very strong on offense and defense.”