The weather could not have been better for Chaska and Chanhassen softball teams to meet for the first game of the season’s series on April 16 in Chanhassen. The Hawks were 2–2 heading into the game, having won contests against Buffalo and Medina so far in the young season. Chanhassen had a record of 1–1, coming off a win over Benilde-St. Margaret’s on April 14.
Sophomore Allana Benoit started on the mound for the Hawks and senior Anna Christensen started for the Storm. Benoit already appeared in three games this season, pitching 17 2/3 innings for the Hawks with a 1.57 ERA and 26 strikeouts. Christensen had pitched in two games for the Storm and had a 1.58 ERA with 21 strikeouts.
The first four innings of the game showed defense for both teams, with the ball rarely getting out of the infield when hit. Both pitchers consistently threw strikes and after four innings the score was 0–0. Chaska catcher, sophomore Ashlyn Larson, got Chaska’s first hit in the top of the fifth with a drive to center. Larson leads the Hawks in hitting, with six hits on the year and a .400 average. Sophomore Iyla Branch drew a walk. With a double steal the Hawks had runners at second and third. The rally did not produce any runs.
The bottom of the fifth inning saw Chanhassen get on the scoreboard when their first two batters reached base. The next batter bunted, and the ball got away from the fielders, allowing two runs to score. The Storm added to their total in the bottom of the sixth inning when junior Josie Coenen hit a home run with a runner on base to make the score 4–0, which would stand as the final.
Benoit and Christensen both pitched complete games for their teams and each struck out nine batters. Chaska gave up five hits and three walks, while Chanhassen allowed one hit and two walks. Josie Coenen and sophomore Addison Tabor led the Storm with two hits each, both going 2-for-3 at the plate.
On April 20, Chaska took on the St. Louis Park Orioles (0–3) in a Metro West Conference game. The Orioles scored runs in the first and third innings to make it 2–0. Facing a tough St. Louis Park pitcher (who struck out 12 Hawks in the game), senior Delaney Farm and junior Kaylee Delorenzo each had hits and scored for Chaska to tie the game at 2–2 after three innings. Park added two more runs in the fifth and one in the seventh to secure a 5–2 win. Junior Noelle Stein started for Chaska and went four and one-third innings, striking out eight.
The Hawks’ next home game is April 24 at 4:30 p.m. against Waconia. Chaska and Chanhassen will meet again in Chaska on May 4 at 4:30 p.m.
