Fourteen-hit attack, Veddersí
pitching carry Wolves to win
Posted 4/10/02

Milacaís softball team pounded 14 hits and received another strong pitching outing from senior Angela Vedders as it trimmed Ogilvie 11-1 in a non-conference game Tuesday, April 2, at the Rice-Arlington Dome in St. Paul.

The game, which was called after six innings because of the 10-run rule, was the season opener for Milaca.

"It was a great way to open the season," said Milaca Coach Randy Johnson. "That kind of hitting and pitching is tough to beat.

"We also had a great defensive effort. Playing in a dome and on artificial turf really didnít give us any problems."

The Wolvesí home opener Monday (April 8) against Braham was postponed because of poor field conditions. Milaca was scheduled to open Rum River Conference play today (Thursday) at Foley at 4:30, then host St. Cloud Cathedral in a non-conference game Friday at Sod Park at 4:30. Those games were listed as tentative because of field conditions.

Milaca hosts Pine City Tuesday, April 16, at 5 p.m.

"The schedule will be up in the air for a little while, depending on how the field dries off," said Johnson. "Weíre fortunate that we were able to make the trip to Florida for those scrimmages and that our opener was in a dome.

"Weíve been able to work on catching fly balls in the school parking lot. Everyone is anxious to get on the field, though."

Against Ogilvie, the Wolves jumped to a 6-0 lead by scoring five runs in the second inning and one in the third. Milaca added two runs in the fourth, two in the fifth and one in the sixth inning.

Senior first baseman Katie VanHeel and senior second baseman Sara Rhoda each had three hits to lead the Wolves. Rhoda also drew a walk.

Senior center fielder Ali Zimmer went 2-for-4 with a double and she drove in three runs. Sophomore Sadie Hemmerich came off the bench in the fourth inning and went 2-2 with a triple.

Senior third baseman Rose Keimig, senior shortstop Ashley Sikkink, senior left fielder Carla Larsen and Vedders each had a single.

Vedders, a right-hander, pitched all six innings, allowing two hits while striking out two and walking none. She retired Ogilvie in order in the second, third, fifth and sixth innings. She faced just 20 batters, two over the minimum.

"Angela looked sharp--she had her usual control," said Johnson.