Thunder Softball Gets Homestand Sweep

Apr 12

Wes Vork-NSO

The sound of thunder coming from the Braun Park Complex in Cloquet was not of the natural variety on Friday and Saturday. Instead it was the booming sound coming off of the bats of the Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College Women’s softball team. The Thunder rolled to four straight victories over Vermilion Community College and Northland Community College.

“It was nice to see the team break loose,” said FDLTCC head coach Kerry Rodd. “We’ve had games here and there where we hit well, but to put four in a row together was very impressive.”

On Friday, the Thunder rocked Vermilion by scores of 8-0 and 16-1 behind the strong pitching of Dana Letica and the hitting of Steph Engelmeier. Letica tossed a two-hitter and Engelmeier went 3-for-4 at the plate. In all, five players had two hits or more for the Thunder.

Game two action on Friday saw the Thunder pound Vermilion 16-1. Again, Letica was impressive with a one-hitter on the mound. Lisa Muehlberger bashed out a 3-for-3 hitting effort, while Anna Engelmeier added two hits and three RBIs. Steph Engelmeier had two RBIs, and Amanda Larson had three RBIs. Holly Nelson, Jenny Wannemacher and Kortney Lindberg all added a pair of RBIs each.

The Thunder trounced the Pioneers of Northland Community College 20-1 and 11-3 in games shortened by the mercy rule on Saturday.

“It just all came together on the weekend,” commented Rodd. “We are young, but I like the way the team is coming together.”

Letica and Jade Kristofferson combined on a three-hitter with 11 strike outs in game one.

“We know Dana is a strikeout pitcher, but to have Jade come in and strike out four in two innings was impressive,” mentioned Rodd. “Right now our pitchers are throwing strikes and keeping the ball down.”

Not only was Letica impressive on the mound, but she also was 4-for-4 at the plate with three doubles and six RBIs. Lindberg added three hits and four RBIs and Jenny Pederson was 3-for-3 with three RBIs.

“We had key hits and some smart base running,” recalled Rodd. “Megan Johnson picked up another steal of home and that is the second time she did it and then she did it in the next game, so that gives her three steals of home already this season.”

In the final game of the weekend the Thunder started slow, but finally secured the win with a flurry in the bottom of the fifth inning. Letica pitched a complete game and gave up nine hits. Pederson, Letica and Johnson all had two hits, while Steph Engelmeier had three RBIs in the game.

The Thunder improved to 6-7-1 on the season and play at Mesabi Range on Wednesday in Virginia.

Wes Vork can be reached at wes@northlandsportsonline.com