MANKATO —
For Ashley Goettl and Alyssa Black, their softball careers began in Mankato, through the Peppers youth days and the Mankato West high-school program.
Both were back in town Sunday, now freshman members of the Wisconsin-River Falls team playing a nonconference doubleheader against Bethany Lutheran.
“I was so excited when I saw the schedule,” Goettl said. “That’s where it all began.”
Goettl, Black and the Wisconsin-River Falls team swept the doubleheader 9-0 and 8-0, collecting 23 hits in two games.
Goettl has been the regular designated hitter, playing occasionally at first base. In 12 games, 10 of which she started, she was batting .464 with six doubles, a home run and four RBIs coming into Sunday’s doubleheader.
“It’s been excellent, and I’m having a blast,” she said. “We have a young team, but it’s talented. We have a potent lineup so I’m just happy I can contribute.”
On Sunday, playing in front of family, friends and her high-school coach Don Krusemark, Goettl was 1 for 4 with a two-run homer in the sixth inning, batting in the cleanup spot. In the second game, she was 3 for 3 with a double, two runs scored and two RBIs.
“It’s a lot of fun to have your family and a lot of friends there,” she said.
Black also played on the Wisconsin-River Falls women’s hockey team, scoring five goals with six assists in 28 games. She’s off to a slow start in softball, hitting only .077 in 26 at-bats before this weekend..
“I had only one day off (between hockey and softball),” Black said. “I’ve been taking extra hitting. I know I’m a good hitter, and it will come back to me.”
Black has been rotating at third base, generally playing one game of a doubleheader. Against Bethany, she entered the game in the fifth inning and flied out to center field twice. In the second game, she did not have a plate appearance, but in the two games, she had one putout and four assists without an error.
“The defense is always there,” she said. “I just have to get back to hitting.”
The Vikings managed only four hits in the doubleheader, with Brittany Schlomer collecting a single in the opener, and Elizabeth Goetzke, Kourtney Peterson and Ashley Jensen each getting a single in the second.
Bethany (9-13) plays Presentation on Tuesday at Aberdeen, S.D.
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UW-River Falls freshman Ashley Goettl had four hits and four RBIs in a nonconference doubleheader against Bethany Lutheran on Sunday. Joelle Pipal
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Wisconsin-River Falls freshman Alyssa Black has struggled with the bat this spring, but her glovework is still good. Joelle Pipal
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