Ava Kleinfeldt strikes out 12, scattered four hits
On one of the few days that weather permitted a softball game thus far in '24, Lake Mills Senior pitcher Ava Kleinfeldt led the visiting Lake Mills L-Cats to a 6-1 victory in the season opener. She picked up where she left off in the circle with a dominant performance over the host Palymra-Eagle Panthers.
Kleinfeldt struck out 12 and gave up four hits and one run with no walks in the 7-inning complete game.
The L-Cats notched their first run in the top of the first inning after Junior Haydenn Sellow opened the game with a double to left field. Junior Savannah Radke then singled on a bunt followed by a Palmyra error which scored Sellnow. Radke would later score on a Palmyra error.
Radke led the L-Cats at the plate going 2-for-3. Sellnow added her double, followed by Kleinfeldt, Senior Natalie Grulke, and sophomore Mads Sherry each adding singles.
The L-Cat defense committed two errors while the Panther defense had six. Brooke West took the loss for Palmyra giving up 6-hits, 5 walks and 8 strikeouts. Stephanie Lean led the Panthers at the plate going 2-for-3.
Head coach Jim Clift said, “I was pleased with our aggression and pitch selection at the plate, but we still have a little early season rust with our bats. Ava hasn’t missed a beat since last year and looked great in the circle. She will only get better as she fine tunes her arsenal of throws and her off-speed pitches. We certainly have areas to grow and improve, but it was a nice opening win for us.”
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