The Fastpitch Chronicle

Columbus - In a battle of Capitol Conference stalwarts, Poynette topped Columbus today 9-1 behind a three-hit gem from junior pitcher Mattie Bredeson and a 13-hit attack.

The Pumas had runners in scoring position in every inning save the sixth and left ten runners aboard including three at third and second. “That’s been happening too often lately ,” said Poynette coach Bob Tomlinson. “However, we have to give the other pitcher credit when they take down two in a row on strkeouts a couple of times.”

The Pumas struck out nine times but here were enough hits and a smattering of Columbus errors that figured into the nine runs. “We’ve been working all season on a couple of offensive things inorder to steal some runs away from good teams.” Added the coach. “So far this season that work has paid off. Tonight we were successful two times on one type of special we run.”

Rachel Renz led the way offensively with three singles  and was one of five Pumas to get two hits or more. Maegan Brookins had two singles, Haley Radewan added two singles and an rbi, Brooke Dredske had two singles and an rbi, while Ashley Hellenbrand had two singles and four rbi. Hellenbrand’s first single drove in the first two runs of the game in the third inning and she added two more rbi in the fifth inning.

Bredeson retired the order through five innings, striking out five. She surrendered a rolling single to rightrcenter in the fourthy to Brianna Barrington who later scored after making it to third on a flyball to center where the Pumas appealed her leaving early. The umpires both said she was on time. She scored on an rbi single by Casper. The third and final Cardinal single came off the bat of O’Keefe int he fifth that was just off the end  of the outstretched glove of second sacker Maegan Brookins.

“We took a loss on Saturday in Portage when we played Merrill but I just felt it imperative that Mattie would enter this game today well rested, “ added the ooach. “She’s been pitching in cold weather and today’s forecast back on Friday night called for today to be wet, cold, windy and cloudy. That held true until the fourth inning when we opened up at about the same time the clouds did and revealed a long awaited sun.”

“We’ve been working on several special things all season,” said Tomlinson. “Tonight we saw several technical changes we’ve made to the game itself come into play and work.  We have a long way to go to get to where we want to get to though so we need to get in some more quality practice. We’ll get that chance today and Friday.

"Columbus is a top notch team, strong in the  circle and take some great cuts at the plate, said Tomlinson.

The win boosted the Pumas conference record to a perfect 11-0 while Columbus dropped to 7-1. The two teams are slated to play again in Poynette on May 18th. The Pumas travel to Lodi on Thursday to take on the rival Blue Devils.