Prep Softball: Lady Trojans slip past rival Menahga, 2-1 (UPDATED)

Sebeka avenged an early season loss to Menahga by picking up their ninth straight win with Tuesday’s 2-1 Park Region Conference victory over the rival Lady Braves.

The Lady Trojans scored twice in the bottom of the third inning and then relied on some big defensive plays to prevent Menahga from establishing any momentum.

“It was a good softball game against a tough, well-coached team,” said Sebeka head coach Jon Lillquist afterwards. “Jasmine [Titcomb] made the play of the game with her throw from right field that prevented a run. I think that made it a whole different ballgame and proved us the spark we needed to pull this one out.”

Shelby Pulju got the Lady Trojans going with a one-out single in the bottom of the third. After Katianne Brockaphler grounded out, Katie Huttunen hit a line drive to the outfield that scored Pulju. Lady Brave leftfielder Tarah Cleveland’s throw to home sailed past catcher Jada Melton’s head, which allowed Huttunen to settle at third on the play.

Lillquist knocked in the winning run with a base hit up the middle that was misplayed by Menahga second baseman Alicia Ahlf.

“We had our chances to win the game, but we made too many mistakes on routine plays.” Menahga head coach Brian Carlson stated. “I think we came off a bit too tense at times.”

The Lady Braves nearly got a run back in the top of the fourth when Lindsey White led off the frame with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Cleveland. After Joy Haataja flew out to left, Amelia Pho walked and Haley Hotakainen then laced a single to right field. White attempted to score from second on the play, but was gunned down at the plate by Titcomb.

“That was a great game-saving throw,” Lillquist said. “I think if [Menahga] had scored, the outcome of this game could have much, much different.”

Menahga finally got on the board in the top of the fifth when Jenny Skoog led off the frame with a single. The freshman first baseman then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Ahlf and then to third on a wild pitch. Morgan Clement drove in Skoog with with a fielders choice base hit. The Lady Braves threatened to bust open the game when Melton was hit by a pitch and White singled to load the bases, but Sebeka pitcher Brett Brockpahler got out of the jam by getting Cleveland to ground out.

The Lady Trojans also had a chance to break open the game when they loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth. Pulju led off the frame with a single, stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Katianne Brockpahler walked and stole second. After Huttunen flew out to third, Lillquist walked to load the bases. White was able to squash the Sebeka threat by getting getting Titcomb to fly out to shallow center and strike out Brett Brockpahler.

The Lady Braves had another chance to swing the momentum in the top of the seventh as Skoog once again led off the frame with a single. However, she was forced out at second on Ahlf’s fielders choice base hit. Brett Brockpahler slammed the door shut on the Lady Braves by getting the next two batters to pop out and strike out.

“It was a really big win for us,” Lillquist added. “Shelby [Pulju] came up with two big hits and scored a run. Brett [Brockpahler] came up with some big strikeouts when she needed them.”

Sebeka managed to collect three hits with Pulju going 2-for-2 and Huttunen 1-for-3. Brockpahler went the distance and struck out five for the win.

The Lady Braves registered five hits with White and Skoog each going 2-for-3. Hotakainen notched the other Menahga hit. White was tagged with the loss despite giving up two unearned runs and striking out eight.

Menahga (13-6) will wrap up the regular season on Thursday at home against Brandon-Evansville (4:30 p.m.) while Sebeka (10-6) travels to Pillager for a conference doubleheader (4 p.m.)

Menahga at Sebeka on May 17
Lady Trojans 2, Lady Braves 1
Menahga 0 0 0 0 1 0 0—1 5 3
Sebeka 0 0 2 0 0 0 x—2 3 1
WP: Brett Brockpahler (Sebeka) 7IP, 5H, 1R, 1ER, 1BB, 5K
LP: Lindsey White (Menahga) 6IP, 3H, 2R, 0ER, 3BB, 8K
Menahga—White 2-3; Haley Hotakainen 1-3; Jenny Skoog 2-3, R; Morgan Clements 0-3, RBI
Sebeka—Katie Huttunen 1-3, R, 2B, RBI; Jessica Lillquist 0-3, RBI; Shelby Pulju 2-2, R