SOLON — Sighs of relief swell over the diamond as the late inning attempted comeback is squandered with a fly out. Cheers erupt from the Solon stands. Victory music sings as the Lady Spartans take the field to celebrate their doubleheader victories against the Vinton-Shellsburg Vikings.

Game One

Through the fourth inning, few had been on base and the score was tied at nil. Early hits from the likes of Dillon Ostrander, Laeni Hinkle, and Keegan Kleppe were forgotten when factoring in the Vikings stellar defense.

“It took a while for our offense to get going,” said Spartan head coach Brad Holub. “We were just under everything and popped up a lot of them but, of all the pitchers we’ve faced this year, she [Vikings pitcher] probably gave us the most trouble.”

As the top of the fifth progressed, the Spartans were trailing. One fielding mishap let to another, allowing for Vinton-Shellsburg to hit their way around the diamond, bringing the score to 0-2.

When pitcher Beckitt Kabela, keeping her composure and focus, struck the last Viking out swinging in the fifth, the tension was loosened and you could both hear, and feel, the determination from the Spartans.

“Come on Spartans, let’s do this!” Yelled one Solon parent, followed by an array of motivational applause.

That may have been just the motivation that the Spartans needed as they came out swinging in the bottom of the fifth. A single to left field from Beckett Kruse got the crowd on its feet and opened the flood gates. A successful bunt from Kleppe, a single from Hinkle, and a long double to center from shortstop Izzy Frees followed, scoring three runs to end the inning, putting the Spartans in the lead.

Hinkle came into the game as a reliever and kept the Vikings at bay for the rest of the game. A few more hits and a masterclass of base stealing from Kruse, Kleppe, and Dillon Ostrander put this game in the past, beating Vinton-Shellsburg 5-2.

Game Two

After what felt like an offensive lull in the beginning of game one, the Spartans came out swinging right off the bat in the second game, scoring two in the first, three in the third, and one in the fourth.

The big story of the second game was its lone home run from first baseman Addison Walter in the first at bat of the fourth inning, making it her first of her career. The ball was smacked toward center, hitting the top of the fence and bouncing right over, leaving her teammates jumping for joy around home plate.

“It was great to see,” said Holub, commenting on Walter’s home run. “She really barreled one up and it paid dividends, so I felt really good for her.”

From that point on in game two, there was no stopping the Spartans as they went on to maintain their large lead through a defensive performance. Pitcher Emerson Miller threw the entirety of game two, putting on a show and allowing only one score through seven innings.

“We knew it was going to be a challenge… we messed with the line up a little bit, you know trying to look at matchups and not overusing somebody, but I thought our pitching did really well as a whole tonight,” said Holub.

Final score: 6-1