Rathmann, Eagles shut out Trojans

By Jeff Meder
Journal Sports Writer

NEW ULM — New Ulm senior pitcher Abigail Rathmann tossed a no-hit shutout as the Eagles flew past Worthington 16-0 in four innings on Thursday in a Big South Conference softball contest at New Ulm HIgh School.
The win kept New Ulm perfect in the Big South Conference. The Eagles have lost only one game this season, and that was to a AAAA school Andover.
Rathmann pitched all four innings and had three strikeouts.
Worthington only had one runner on base and that was on an error in the top of the third inning. Otherwise, the Trojans were retired in order in every inning but the third.
The Eagles had hot bats, excellent defense and played solid team softball.
Madeline Backer walked in the bottom of the first inning. She scored on Mackenzie Enter’s double. Ramsey Hopp belted a triple to right-center field which scored Enter. Hopp scored on a sacrifice. Lauren Schmiesing reached on a fielder’s choice and scored on Amber Lee’s single. It was 4-0 for New Ulm.
The Eagles exploded for nine runs in the second inning. Rathmann singled, Berkley Wilfahrt doubled and Backer tripled. Three walks, a bunt and three singles later, the Eagles held a 13-0 advantage.
During that stretch, Enter and Grace Baker pulled off a double steal of second and third bases.
Mya Hornick drew a leadoff walk in the third inning. She scored on Rathmann’s single, which made it 14-0. Schmiesing walked. A courtesy runner scored on a sacrifice for a 15-0 lead. Schmiesing scored on Lee’s single for the Eagle’s final run.
New Ulm head coach Kristi Andersen Loose said the Eagles shut out Worthington 8-0 on April 25. She said the team “was pretty quiet” during that game. She noted that everyone came prepared to do better in Thursday’s contest.
“We had great communication with balls in the air,” Andersen Loose said. “Our infield charged the ball well.”
She also had high praise for Rathmann and catcher Natalie Bianchi.
“Today, we had a great battery, [and] Abby hit her spots.”
New Ulm (12-1, 8-0) will participate in the Caswell Invitational Tournament beginning Friday in North Mankato.

NEW ULM — New Ulm senior pitcher Abigail Rathmann tossed a no-hit shutout as the Eagles flew past Worthington 16-0 in four innings on Thursday in a Big South Conference softball contest at New Ulm HIgh School.

The win kept New Ulm perfect in the Big South Conference. The Eagles have lost only one game this season, and that was to a AAAA school Andover.

Rathmann pitched all four innings and had three strikeouts.

Worthington only had one runner on base and that was on an error in the top of the third inning. Otherwise, the Trojans were retired in order in every inning but the third.

The Eagles had hot bats, excellent defense and played solid team softball.

Madeline Backer walked in the bottom of the first inning. She scored on Mackenzie Enter’s double. Ramsey Hopp belted a triple to right-center field which scored Enter. Hopp scored on a sacrifice. Lauren Schmiesing reached on a fielder’s choice and scored on Amber Lee’s single. It was 4-0 for New Ulm.

The Eagles exploded for nine runs in the second inning. Rathmann singled, Berkley Wilfahrt doubled and Backer tripled. Three walks, a bunt and three singles later, the Eagles held a 13-0 advantage.

During that stretch, Enter and Grace Baker pulled off a double steal of second and third bases.

Mya Hornick drew a leadoff walk in the third inning. She scored on Rathmann’s single, which made it 14-0. Schmiesing walked. A courtesy runner scored on a sacrifice for a 15-0 lead. Schmiesing scored on Lee’s single for the Eagle’s final run.

New Ulm head coach Kristi Andersen Loose said the Eagles shut out Worthington 8-0 on April 25. She said the team “was pretty quiet” during that game. She noted that everyone came prepared to do better in Thursday’s contest.

“We had great communication with balls in the air,” Andersen Loose said. “Our infield charged the ball well.”

She also had high praise for Rathmann and catcher Natalie Bianchi.

“Today, we had a great battery, [and] Abby hit her spots.”

New Ulm (12-1, 8-0) will participate in the Caswell Invitational Tournament beginning Friday in North Mankato.