The Fastpitch Chronicle

Columbus freshman pitcher Lauren Kirchberg was on top of her game for much of the game on Teuesday but with Poynette trailing 1-0 in the top of the third inning Jenna Sandstrom reached her for a leadoff triple. It would be the first of just two hits allowed by Kirchberg but the second one just happened to take place in the same inning. After surrendering the triple to Sandstrom Kirchbrerf got a called third strike on Mya Knuteson for out number one. Pumas' leadoff hitter, Jordyn Mackey coaxed a base on balls out of Kirchberg and quickly stole second base. Kirchberg then fanned Poynette shortstop Shelby Wheeler and for a time it appeared that Poynette might squander a leadoff triple and runners at two and three with one out. However, that didn't happen as Poynette sophomore third sacker Brooke Dredske worked her way out of a 0-2 count to run it to 1-2 and fouled off three consecutive Kirchberg offerings. On the next pitch Dredske hung tight on a high pitch, reached up and laced a two-run single past Kirchberg and into centerfield. Both runners scored giving the Pumas all the runs that Poynette pitcher Jordan Blochwitz would need to get a victory.

The Cardinals took an early lead when in the bottom of the first inning with one out a ball hit to third off the bat of Taylor Simerson was fielded and then thrown away putting a runner aboard. A pop up to first ensued but with two down Taylor Whittun singled to right and when a ball to short was misplayed a run eventually scored when Kirchberg helped her own cause by fighting off a 2-2 count with two foul balls before lacing a single past third. 

Blochwitz was tough throughout the game. She faced three batters in the second, three in the third, four in the fourth after walking the first batter of that inning. In the fifth she took the Cardinals down in order.In the sixth after retiring the first two batters allowed a two-out double by Morgan Casper but stranded her at two with a pop up to second base. She put the first two Cardinals down in order in the seventh before allowing a bloop single between shortstop and two oncoming outfielders. 

 "All-n-all Jordan had a fantastic outing," said Head Coach Bob Tomlinson. "She was in command through that game with some pop on a cold day."

The Pumas scored an unearned insurance run in the top of the seventh when with one out catcher Emily Cibulka reached first on an error at shortstop. Blochwitz was hit by a pitch on what was actually ball four and when the catcher's throw to second to retire courtesy runner Haley Radewan went into centerfield Radewa actually would have scored the third run. However, the ball had nicked Blochwitz and neither the catcher or most of the players and the Poynette coach in the third base coach's box heard the call and Radewan was sent back to second base. With runners one and two, Mya Knuteson hit a pop up between shortstop and the outfielders. Columbus shortstop Hannah Boettcher made a vailiant attempt but dropped the ball allowing Radewan to score.

That third run was huge as the Cardinals were due to send up their 7th, 8th and 9th batters to wage a comeback in the bottom of the seventh. With two outs Marla Wedig singled on a play that looked like the one from the top of the seventh only this time it fell in for a bloop single. Blochwitz close the door on a sharp comebacker off the bat of leadoff batter Bri Farrington.

For Poynette the win opened up a three game lead over Columbus in the race for a conference title with three games to play, assuring the Pumas of no less than a share of the title. That marked the 23rd time in program history that Poynette has won a conference title. 

"We don't talk about or write about goals within the program," stated Tomlinson. "That doesn't mean we don't have goals. We do. There are just two goals but they are so defined that they are all encompassing."

When asked what the two goals are he answered, " One, to be the strongest and most efficient team every one of our opponents face throughout their season and two,every player needs to leave every practice and every game with more knowledge and a better understanding of the game than when she walked out the door of the school at the end of the school day. If we can be #1 and they can work efficiently to take care of #2 our successes will mount." 

Poynette improved its season record to 17-1 and its conference record to 13-0. Columbus dropped to 13-5 overall and 11-3 in conference action.

"Columbus has really turned things around in the past four years," said Tomlinson. "Its great to have them back at a competitive level that they had for so many years. Jenn and her staff have done a remarkable job there and it's made the Capitol North and the Capitol stronger overall." 

Columbus won the Capitol North in 2013 when they beat Poynette 2-1 in title showdown at the end of the conference season. Poynette bounced back to the top spot in 2014.