Softball shuts out Waseca in first round of Sections

In cold, driving rain, the Titan softball team was hot when they shut out Waseca 15-0 in the first round of the Section 2AA tournament on Tuesday.

Playing in Le Center, the Titans endured the weather in four innings and advanced in the tournament.

TCU didn’t waste any time getting to business. The Titans scored two in the first and second innings.

“Brooke Blaschko lead off with a single and Ellie Singleton followed with a single. Both scored when Elly Novak reached on an error,” said Titan Coach Phil Murry. “In the second, with one out, Lilly Barnes singled. One out later, Brooke doubled to drive her in. Brooke then scored when Ellie reached on an error.”
 Despite being pummeled by the rain, the Titans exploded in the third inning, scoring 11 runs by a multitude of players.

Murry said the inning started off when Ellaina Novak singled, and Ava Rud doubled putting runners on second and third. Sydney Sartori was then hit with a pitch to load the bases. Destiny Dunagan singled to drive in one, followed by Lilly Barnes walking to drive one in. Keilee Westlie hit a fielder’s choice to drive in another one. Brooke then walked to drive in a run, and Ellie doubled to drive in two. After a fly out. Ellaina was walked, Ava singled in a run. After a fielder’s choice by Syd, and single by Dunagan, Barnes tripled to left driving in two.
 “We really did a nice job of putting the ball in play,” Murry stated.

The winning pitcher was Elly Novak. She pitched for 4 innings, and allowed 1 hit, no runs or walks and had 12 strikeouts.

“Elly was very solid again on the mound,” said Murry. “I am very proud of how the girls handled the terrible weather.”
 The losing pitcher was Michaela Shifflet. She lasted 3 innings and allowed 11 hits, 15 runs and had 2 strikeouts.
 Getting hits for TCU were: Brooke Blaschko: 2 for 2, with 3 runs scored, 2 RBIs and a double; Ellie Singleton: 2 for 3 with 2 runs scored, 2 RBIs and a double; Ava Rud, 2 for 3 with an RBI; Destiny Dunagan 2 for 3; Lilly Barnes: 2 for 3 with 2 runs scored, 3 RBIs and a triple.


The win puts TCU’s record at 13-6. They take on the winner of the match-up between Maple River and Belle Plaine. That contest is scheduled for Wednesday, May 22 at 5 p.m. at Mapleton-City Park.