Coming into a spring where expectations are high, the Cashton softball team naturally wanted to get the year started on a positive note. They had no issues accomplishing that goal right off the bat in a season opener where they finished with a flourish.
The Eagles (1-0) began their 2024 campaign with a 10-2 non-conference win over Riverdale (0-1) on Thursday, March 21 in Muscoda. This marked the third year in a row where the two teams squared off early in the season in Muscoda. Riverdale won 11-0 in 2022 and Cashton answered with an 8-2 victory in 2023.
This third matchup saw the Chieftains take early leads of 1-0 and 2-1 thanks to a run scored on an error in the bottom of the second and a Lilly Barr RBI single in the third.
After being held scoreless in the first two innings of the season, the Eagles found their groove at the plate by scoring in each of the game's final five innings.
Cashton tied the score twice on junior left fielder Marlee Schroeder's RBI single in the top of the third and freshman Hayden Oleson's run on a dropped third strike in the fourth, then seized a 3-2 lead via freshman third baseman Peyton Brueggen's go-ahead run on a passed ball in the fifth.
The Eagles poured it on and turned things into a rout by scoring seven runs over the final two innings. They tallied three runs in the top of the sixth thanks to senior shortstop Sydney Helgerson's two-run single and Brueggen's sacrifice bunt, followed by a four-run rally in the seventh that featured Oleson scoring on a passed ball, Helgerson driving in two more with a double and, lastly, an RBI single by Brueggen.
Helgerson went 2 for 5 with a double, four RBIs and two runs while Brueggen finished 2 for 2 with a walk, two RBIs and two runs scored.
In the circle for Cashton, junior and reigning Scenic Bluffs Pitcher of the Year Sarah Schroeder picked up where she left off last spring by tossing seven innings in which she struck out 13 and allowed two runs (one earned) on seven hits and two walks.
UP NEXT
The Eagles are tentatively scheduled to begin the defense of their Scenic Bluffs crown when they play Brookwood on the road in their conference opener on Monday, April 1 at 5 p.m. in Ontario. Cashton would then pivot back to non-conference action at Westby on Tuesday, April 2 at 5 p.m.
Both games are subject to change depending on the volatile spring weather.
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