RUHS Softball Opener

By Morgan Stewart

The Gal Ghosts of Randolph are ready for their first week of softball games. Starting Tuesday the season will be in full swing after the first two games had to be postponed due to nothing other than the snow.

Randolph will be dressing 11 players for their varsity squad. The Gal Ghosts graduated three seniors last year including shortstop Anna Reis, catcher Liz Czok, and centerfielder Katie Porter. There are many returning players and new faces to the Randolph team that will be able to fill in for these important positions. Returning players include seniors Emily Howe, Kelsey Higgins, and Morgan Stewart. Howe will be seeing time at third base, shortstop, and pitching. Teammate Higgins will be playing at second base and centerfield while Stewart will pitch and see some time in right field.

Junior returning players include Gwen Reis, Ashley Chase, and Amanda Gerstenmaier. Amanda Angell and Mikala Frenette (both juniors) will join the Gal Ghosts for their first season. Angell will be sharing time on the pitching mound, first base and in right field. Frenette will see time in right field and catcher. Reis will anchor left field for her third season on this squad being a vocal aspect and helping to control the outfield. Chase will start as catcher, her strong presence behind the plate will help control the base paths. Gerstenmaier has made the move to first base this season. Her quickness and incredible reach will get the quick outs for the Ghosts.

Three freshmen have found their place on the Randolph team, Katie Jickling, Heather Mugford, and Arielle Connolly. Jickling will be playing second base or centerfield, Mugford will see some catching time while also playing right field, and Connolly has been working hard at shortstop and will see plenty of time there.

The bats should be swinging this season. This year's strong team shows plenty of offensive promise with the ability to string together big hits. Only time will tell how well this team will all come together but everyone is very excited for the season to begin. 

Ghosts 19, Northfield 1

Softball action began with a bang on Tuesday for the Randolph girls. The Gal Ghosts came out swinging, scoring three runs with two outs in the first inning. Reis, Gerstenmaier and Connolly all scored after stringing together two doubles and a single.

When it was time for Northfield's first at bat, catcher Ashley Chase set the tone by throwing out a runner at second. The Marauder's did not attempt to steal much after that.

The Ghosts scored two more runs in the third inning. Connolly and Angell walked, pulled off a double steal and rushed home on a clutch single up the middle by Kelsey Higgins. The fourth inning was when everyone's bats came alive as Randolph scored six runs. 

In the Marauder's fourth inning Kandi Tyner made it around the base paths to score Northfield's lone run. In this inning Randolph's strong infield was able to pull off a double play to end the Marauder's threat.

Between the fifth and sixth innings the Gal Ghosts were able to score eight more runs off hits from Gerstenmaier, Connolly, Higgins, Angell, Frenette and Stewart. Randolph coach Alan Stewart was "very pleased with Randolph's offense." He went on to say, "this is one of the better teams I've coached in awhile."

Northfield was held to only three hits in the six-inning game. Stewart (pitcher) and Chase (catcher) worked well together for Randolph, moving the ball around and picking up six strikeouts. Chase also got her first pick off of the season. Northfield's pitcher Kandi Tyner recorded two strikeouts for the Marauders.

Randolph will be hosting U-32 on Thursday for their second game of the season.

J.V. Girls

The RUHS J.V. squad won both games of their double-header versus Northfield, 21-5 and 21-12. Pitchers for Randolph were Kristy Tabor, Amanda Howard and Lydia Gubotosi. Brynn Keenhold and Emily Green split the duties at the catcher's spot.

Arielle Sherman had three triples, Keenhold and Shane Reis placed some excellent bunts, and Kim Francis had four singles. The only bad momente was a trip over first base and to the hospital for Hannah Becker, but it turns out nothing was broken and hopefully she'll be playing soon.