Thinking offensively
Pitcher Kyla Molzhon winds up during her complete game one-hitter against Plains.
Kelsey Fitchett makes contact against Plains pitcher Aspen Rude.
Makayla Becker swings at a ball during a game against Plains.
Makayla Becker pops up a foul ball last Thursday during a home game against Plains.
Coming into the year the Ladyhawks knew what they would get from pitcher Kyla Molzhon. The senior has been one of the top pitchers in the state for the last four years and she uses five different pitches to absolutely befuddle opponents from the diamond.
Coming into the year the Ladyhawks knew what they would get from pitcher Kyla Molzhon. The senior has been one of the top pitchers in the state for the last four years and she uses five different pitches to absolutely befuddle opponents from the diamond.
However, for a team that struggled with consistency last year, the offense so far this year has been equally as dominant.
In two games last week, the Lady Hawks sent 27 runners across the plate versus 2 for the opponents. That is a ratio that will win a lot of games.
"(Hitting) makes us very strong because Kyla's pitching is phenomenal," says Coach Randy Pirker. "Good pitching is very important, but you need good hitting otherwise you're not going to win."
The team had both of those aspects of the game working last week as they beat Plains 17-0 on Thursday and then turned around and beat Deer Lodge 10-1 at Deer Lodge on Saturday.
One of the stars for the team was Karli Cavill who hit the ball with authority over the two games, hitting two doubles, two triples and a home run. She leads an offensive game for the Ladyhawks that may rival anything Coach Pirker has seen in his tenure.
"As a coaching staff we're looking at this bunch as being as good or slightly better than in the past," said Pirker who stated he has nine girls who can get it done at the plate and by the end of the season they should have 10 or 11 hitters who can be called on during any situation and come through with a play.
Against Plains four Thompson Falls batters recorded a hit in the contest. Beside Cavill who had two RBI's in the game newcomer Kelsey Fitchett also batted in two of her teammates. Although the Ladyhawks only recorded five hits as a team they fought their way to nine walks allowing them to score the 17 runs.
That was plenty enough support for Molzhon who tossed a complete game one hitter while striking out nine and walking only one batter.
On Satuday against Deer Lodge Molzhon was just as dominant as she threw six innings of no-hit ball until a single broke up her no hitter in the seventh.
Cavill once again led the offense in that game as she went 2-4 with a home run, single and two RBI. Makayla Becker and Stephanie Larkin also had two hits in the game. Coach Pirker says Becker in particular has been hitting the ball solidly the last couple games, but has suffered some bad luck by hitting hard hit balls straight at the defenders.
This week the team will be playing at Drummond for a double header on Thursday and against Eureka at home on Saturday.