For the third time this season, the Sevastopol Pioneers softball team did not need the full seven innings to get past NEW Lutheran, beating them 10-0 in five innings on Tuesday to advance in the WIAA Tournament.
The Pioneers pressured Blazers pitcher Lexie Meerstein early, with Addison Schauske singling in Naomi Rikkola to make it 1-0 at the end of the first inning. After a scoreless second, the Pioneers batted around in the third inning, scoring five runs and registering six hits in the frame. Schauske and Adison Sawyer each singled in runs, while Libby Ash's knock brought home two.
The Blazers would offer a retort in the fourth inning, with Meerstein collecting her second hit and Abby Kirchner reaching on a single. Schauske bore down from there, striking out five of the next six batters she faced to earn the victory and notch ten strikeouts along the way.
The Pioneers would effectively end the game in their half of the fourth inning, scoring another four runs on three hits and two walks in the frame.
Ash, Schauske, and Kayla Ranly posted multi-hit games for the Pioneers, with Ash, Schauske, and Sierra Cain driving in runs. Meerstein had two of the three hits for the Blazers.
The Pioneers will have to wait until Wednesday afternoon to learn who their opponent will be because the game between Almond/Bancroft and Tigerton was postponed to Wednesday due to storms. An Almond/Bancroft win would send the Pioneers there on Thursday, while a Tigerton victory would allow the Pioneers to host another game.
