Talent wins games, but teamwork wins championships. Dickinson High School softball have built a tight-knit cohesive team that are currently undefeated on the season at 4-0 in conference play.
Following a period of postponements, on April 22 the Midgets traveled to Mandan and won an away double header against the Braves of Mandan.
“It seems like we haven't played since last year because we had such a long break in between these games and playing Bismarck,” Amanda Mickey, head coach said. “Mandan is always a good team and they are always a team we look forward to playing every year.”
The scoreline shows that the two games were never really in contention for the Braves as Dickinson shattered any hopes of a late rally with an 18-6 and 22-4 walloping. The victories didn’t come without some set-backs, as an injury to their freshman pitcher brought some concern for the Midgets.
“I know the score shows that it shouldn't have been stressful at all but it was, because Ava Jahner had gotten beamed with a header at bat that had her out of the game for the rest of the day,” Mickey said. “Jenna (Decker) came in and did her job and managed through strongly. And then we had to call Kyndall Peterson from the JV game that was at a different location from where we were to come into pitch game two.”
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With starting pitcher Mataya Mortensen out until she is cleared from her injury, Peterson took control on the mound. Though only a seventh grader, Peterson played much like a senior in her display of composure. With five strikeouts, and allowing only eight hits and four runs, the young phenom walked only a single Brave over five innings.
“I always expected Kyndall to play as well as she did because she is that kind of player and I hold even the younger one to a higher standard,” Mickey said. “When she came up to bat, she acted like she had played varsity before and she did a phenomenal job at the plate; put the ball in play each time. I had no worries she would be up to perform.”
Offensively, the Midgets outperformed with 42 hits overall, as Kali Kubas, Paige Balliet, Baylee Berg, Taya Hopfauf, Amy Fridley and Makenna Eckleberg each earned multiple runs. But the standout performance came from Reese Hauck who with nine RBI’s, eight runs and two homers was a one woman wrecking machine against Mandan.
“As a coach, seeing our kids hit has been so much fun. Just seeing them succeed and doing well there at bat and making awesome contact and keeping their head down while still watching the ball. I am impressed all around as a team,” Mickey said. “One that is going to stand out is Reese Hauck. She had an amazing day today, eight for ten and just her steady composer at the plate. Her team feeds off of her and it is so much fun to see them succeed like they are.”
Kali Kubas also had an outstanding run of play with seven RBI’s and two home runs.
Next week will be a true test of grit and championship mettle as the Midgets will play a long series of match-ups on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Their next game is scheduled to be a non-conference away game against the Watford City Wolves at 3:30 p.m., on April 27.
