It seems impossible now, after Edgerton Southwest Christian completed a three-game assault on the softball, that the Flying Dutchmen were struggling at the plate when the season started.
Edgerton Southwest Christian (20-7) defeated Badger/Greenbush-Middle River 12-0 in five innings in the Class 1A championship game, its third consecutive game scoring more than 10 runs.
The Dutchmen totaled 35 runs in three games and were so, well, offensive that all three of their games ended early as a result of the 10-run mercy rule.
"More than half of our practices are hitting," said junior catcher Jenny Nelson. "We didn't start out the season hitting very well, but we really kicked it into gear."
Nelson proved to be the strongest of the strong, clubbing a record three home runs in the tournament, giving her 10 on the season. Her 10 RBI were also a tournament record, and her grand slam in the championship game provided the runs that put the Dutchmen over the 10-run mark.
"With the bases loaded, I put pressure on myself to get a hit," she said. "But this is like something out of a dream."
JIM PAULSEN
