Softball claims conference title, moves on in playoffs
Cotter’s girls softball team claimed Cotter’s first conference title since moving to the Three Rivers conference at the beginning of the 2013-14 school year.
The girls swept St. Charles on Thursday, May 15, at Cotter fields, winning a 5-4 nail biter, before cruising to a 15-0 five inning rout to win Cotter’s division.
Cotter coach Pat Bowlin had this to say of the title. “There are two divisions and there is no playoff to determine a conference champion. We feel great about winning the title, it is our first since 2008 so it is nice to get back on top. We have six seniors so it was especially sweet for them.”
Cotter opened the playoffs with a resounding win at home vs Dover-Eyota, earning 11-0 victory in 5 innings. Katie Nachtigal pitched 4 earnings, allowing no hits, striking 4 with no walks. Felicia Dieterman pitched the final frame. At the plate Cotter pounded out 14 hits, McKenna Marg went 3 for 2 with 3 doubles and 3 rbi. Kirsten Weifenbach and Mikala Nelton both had two hits and two runs and Kelly Vaselaar and Gabrielle Bowlin also collected two hits apiece.
Looking forward to the second round matchup with Plainview-Elgin/Millville , the champions of the other division in the Three Rivers, coach Bowlin had some concerns.
“P-EM is a very good hitting team. They have a great deal of power so we need to keep the ball out of the middle of the plate and play great defense. Offensively we need to continue to have solid at bats 1-9 in the order. “
These concerns didn’t seem to bother the Ramblers, who dominated the Bulldogs winning 11-1 in six innings. Katie Nachtigal pitched the complete game to earn the victory, scattering 4 hits and striking out 7. At the plate four Ramblers had multiple hits, McKenna Marg went 2 for 3 , Felicia Dieterman 2 for 2, Gabby Bowlin went 2-4, and Hannah Spiten went to 2-4 with a homerun and 4 rbi.
This win sets up a showdown with Caledonia-Spring Grove.
“To win the sub-section we will have to beat Caledonia-Spring Grove. They have one of the best pitchers in the state in Sam Bratland. We lost to them 2-1 in 9 innings earlier this year. In that game we didn’t hit in the clutch when we had our chances. We also struck out 14 times, we need to put the ball in play and challenge their defensive players,” said Bowlin.
Cotter faces Caledonia-Spring Grove at 5:00 on Friday in St. Charles
