Over the years since the present Capitol Conference was aligned Poynette and Waterloo have had some great battles. The latest game between the Pumas' and Pirates was no different.
Poynette traveled to Fireman's Park in Waterloo for the Capitol Conference cross-over game. Poynette needed a win to keep pace with Columbus for the lead in the Capitol North Division. Waterloo, after having been nipped 5-4 by Marshall earlier in the week had upset thoughts on their minds.
"We've had some epic battles here and in Poynette over the years," said Poynette coach Bob Tomlinson. "Tonight's would fit right into the same mold before it was over."
Poynette shortstop Haley Radewan got the Pumas on the board first with a high, towering shot over the fence in leftfield off Pirate pitcher Sidney Finkler.
The Pirates countered with an "answer back" inning of their own in the bottom half of the first when they reached Poynette pitcher for an earned run. With one out Bredeson walked Megan Springer and when a pitch got past Poynette catcher Mya Knuteson Springer raced to second base. Bredeson coaxed a fly ball to right field out of Cassie Renforth with Springer tagging and moving to third on the catch.
The Pumas plated three runs in the third when Rachel Renz singled on a drag bunt with one out. She stole second base and scored when Radewan delivered a one-out rbi single. Ashley Hellenbrand followed with a double down the leftfield line that scored Radewan from first. Hellenbrand moved to second on a base on balls issued to Bredeson and Dredske followed with a double to the fence in leftfield.
The Pirates got another answer back inning after error at second base, a come-backer to Bredeson who threw to second for the force out and consecutive singles by Springer and Cassie Renforth on one of the longest singles Tomlinson said he has ever seen. Melanie Renforth then took a 0-1 offering from Bredeson over the fence in straightaway centerfield. "There was no doubt that somebody was going to have chase that ball on the back side of the scoreboard when it left the bat," said Poynette coach Bob Tomlinson. "The Renforth girls have always been tremendous hitters and are tough outs for everyone and we are no exception. They are tough outs and really tough strikeout victims."
Those fours runs boosted the Pirates into the lead at 5-4.
The top of the fourth was an answer back inning for the Pumas when they scored three more times on a walk to AllisonTomlinson who quickly swiped second base before Brookins lined a Filter offering to the fence in rightcenter. Brookins was atop third when Renz drew four balls and stole second. Bredeson then helped her own cause when her blast to center nearly cleared the portable fence for a two-run double making the score 7-5. Those were some answer back rbi at the right time according to Tomlinson.
In the Pumas' fifth Knuteson singled and took second when an errant throw from the rigthfielder to the pitcher got away from Fliter. Knuteson scooted to third on a ball in the dirt and when the throw got away from the Pirates she scored the eighth run. Sidney Gorman followed with a single to left, stole second later when Renz singled. After swiping second base for third time in as many tries, Renz scored on a Radewan two-out double.
That would end the scoring for both teams as Bredeson kept the Pirates at bay, allowing seven hits, walking three and striking out 13 on the day.
"Mattie was a warrior in the circle toda," said Tomlinson. "holding onto a ball with cold hands and fingers isn't anyone's treat. She did great. On top of that we were patient at the plate yet aggressive when we did take some cuts. Balls were clearing the infield very quickly."
The win boosted the Pumas' record to 16-0 and 10-0 in Capitol Conference North Division action.
The Pumas travel to Columbus on Tuesday for a matchup with the defending conference champion Cardinals. Game time is 5 Pm at Meister Park just off Highway 73.
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