Storm Lake and Spencer will play twice next week with the Lakes Conference titles on the line in both softball and baseball. Thursday night at Estherville the Tornado softball team beat E-L-C 11-0 in five innings behind the pitching of Avery DeHann who tossed a 2-hitter. DeHaan also belted a 3-run homer, Reagan DeHaan had two hits and 3RBI, and Zoe McCoy drove in three runs as the Tornadoes move to 13-4 overall and 6-0 in the Lakes Conference. The Spencer softball team, ranked 15th in class 4A, is also 6-0 in the Lakes. The two teams will square off Monday night in Storm Lake and again June 25th at Spencer. Monday’s game will be broadcast on Mix 101.7 KAYL.
The two baseball teams have the same situation as both are 5-1 in Lakes Conference games. The Tornadoes lost in walk off fashion Thursday night at E-L-C 8-7. The Midgets used clutch hitting to get the win receiving a two-out 2-run single from Will Rosfjord to tie the game at 4-4 in the 5th. David Gonzales-Santos clubbed a two-run homer in the top of the 6th, his 2nd of the game, to give Storm Lake the lead back at 6-4 but in the bottom of the inning Garrett Smith hit a two-out 3-run homer to give the Midgets their first lead of the game at 7-6 heading into the 7th inning.
In the top of the 7th Brock Edwards led off with a walk, Carson Taylor then picked up an infield single to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Bobby Boeckman then drilled a single up the middle scoring Edwards to tie the game at 7-7. E-L-C made a pitching change and Grady Frideres would retire the next three batters. In the bottom of the 7th the Midgets loaded the bases with two outs and Layton Dunlavy ended it with a base hit.
It was the 3rd straight game then ended in walk off fashion for E-L-C. They lost to Storm Lake Monday 5-4 in 8 innings Monday and they were walked off Tuesday at Forest City 6-5.
Gonzales-Santos went 4-for-4 with eleven total bases and 3RBI. Brock Edwards started on the mound and pitched 5 2/3 striking out 16 batters.
Storm Lake is now 10-6 overall and 5-1 in the Lakes Conference.
Click below to hear from Storm Lake coach Michael Knapp.
