Saints hold off Southland softball team

Published 8:42 pm Monday, April 10, 2017

ROSE CREEK —The Southland softball team was able to turn some momentum in its favor, but it couldn’t quite crack into the win column as it lost 6-5 to Saint Charles in Rose Creek Monday.

Southland (0-4 overall, 0-4 Three Rivers) had lost all of its first three games by more than 10 runs each, but it had a chance to win against the Saints (1-1 overall, 1-1 Three Rivers). Brianna Johnson and Lexi Shaw had back-to-back RBI singles to bring the Rebels within 6-5 with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning, but the Rebels couldn’t finish off the comeback as the game ended on a pair of ground outs by Taylor Bhend and Emily Bhend.

Southland’s Ashlynn Mandt connects on a pitch against Saint Charles in Rose Creek Monday. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com

Southland’s Ashlynn Mandt connects on a pitch against Saint Charles in Rose Creek Monday. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com

Southland had four hits against Saint Charles after mustering just three total hits in its first three games.

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We were trying to be upbeat and have a good time. I know the last few games were not too fun,” Southland head coach Greg Schulte said. “We were into this game more and we were making more plays than we have been. Overall, it was good.”

Taylor Bhend singled in a pair of runs to put Southland up 3-0 in the third, but the Rebels couldn’t hang on. In the circle, Taylor Bhend held the Saints in check for most of the game as she allowed just three earned runs.

“She does very well,” Schulte said of the junior pitcher. “She can hit her spots the majority of the time, but sometimes we don’t produce in the field. We had a lot of errors in the past few games, but this one was better.”

Southland’s Lexi Smith slides into home plate as Saint Charles catcher Daysia Stangler holds her ground in Rose Creek Monday. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com

Southland’s Lexi Smith slides into home plate as Saint Charles catcher Daysia Stangler holds her ground in Rose Creek Monday. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com

The Rebels drew three straight walks to start the game, but they were only able to plate one run in that frame.

“We just need to start hitting,” Schulte said. “In this game we had a few more hits. That will help us.”

SC 0 0 0  3 1 1 1    6  6  3

Southland 1 0 2  0 0 0 2    5  4  3

Southland pitching: Taylor Bhend (L) 7 IP, 6 H, 4 BB, 6 R, 3 ER, 2 K

Southland hitting: Lex Smith, 0-for-3, R, BB; Ramsey Gillson, 0-for-3, 2 R, SB, BB; Chelsey Kasel, 0-for-1, R, HBP, BB; Brianna Johnson, 1-for-4, RBI, R; Lexi Shaw, 1-for-4, RBI; Lilly Riddles, 0-for-2, RBI, 2 BBs; Taylor Bhend, 1-for-4, 2 RBIs; Emily Bhend, 1-for-4, triple; Ashlynn Mandt, 0-for-3