Mitchell softball snaps losing skid with wins over Sturgis, Spearfish

May 9—MITCHELL — After enduring a difficult stretch over the past two weeks, the Mitchell High School softball team found its rhythm again on Saturday afternoon at McWhirter Field.

The Kernels snapped a seven-game losing skid with a 6-4 victory over Sturgis in Game 1 before carrying the momentum into an 11-1 rout in six innings of Spearfish in Game 2 of the home doubleheader.

Mitchell's offense came alive in both contests, while junior pitcher Rylee Jennings delivered two strong performances in the circle to help the Kernels secure consecutive wins for the first time this season.

In Game 1 against Sturgis, Mitchell broke through in the bottom of the second inning when Malia Reitzel drove in a run, Iris Ackman followed with an RBI double to center field, and Kinsley Herges added another RBI to give MHS a 3-0 cushion.

Ackman paced the Kernels offensively with a perfect 3-for-3 afternoon and three RBIs. She doubled in the second inning, doubled again in the fourth and added a single in the sixth.

Mitchell gradually expanded the lead and entered the seventh inning ahead by five runs before Sturgis mounted one final push. The Scoopers scored three runs in the top of the seventh to trim the deficit to 6-4, but Jennings settled in to close out the victory and secure the Kernels' first win since April 20.

Jennings went the distance in the circle, allowing four runs — only one earned — on eight hits over seven innings of work. The right-hander struck out two batters and walked one.

Delaney Linke added a productive performance for Mitchell, finishing 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored. Addison Cushard-Fedderson and Mallory Miedema each contributed a hit as the Kernels totaled eight hits in the win.

Sturgis was led offensively by Jayna Johnston, who went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, while Addilynn Kraft finished 2-for-3. Scoopers pitcher Brinley Heikes struck out eight batters and walked two while allowing six runs on eight hits in six innings.

Mitchell carried that momentum into Game 2 and overwhelmed Spearfish from the start in an 11-1 victory in six innings.

The Kernels wasted little time taking control, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first inning. Miedema opened the scoring with an RBI single before Ackman cleared the bases with a three-run triple to put Mitchell firmly in front.

The lead continued to grow in the third inning when Reitzel executed a sacrifice bunt that plated another run and extended the advantage to 5-0.

Jennings once again posted a strong outing in the circle despite pitching her second game of the afternoon. The Kernel ace struck out 12 batters and did not issue a walk while allowing just one run on six hits over six innings of work.

MHS' Brooklyn Schlimgen turned in a solid performance at the plate, collecting three hits in four at-bats. Schlimgen tripled in both the third and sixth innings and added a single in the fourth while driving in three runs and scoring twice.