Pioneers cap off bittersweet trip to state with 3-1 win over 'Dogs

The Okoboji softball team is pictured above with their state qualifier plaques after defeating Riverside 3-1 in the Class 2A consolation finals to place seventh overall. Pictured above (front from left): Makenzi Anderson, Miley Hunziker, Jenny Brons, Landi Hunziker, Morgan Syverson and Keely Bracelin, (middle): Kayla Seeger, Bryanna Wittrock, Taylor Poppema, Maggie Rohlk, Hannah Hawkins, Mary Eckard and Jenna Johnson, (back): Dallas Clark, Sydney Boeckholt, Maddie Bates, Regan Miklo, Paisley Jones, Mikkinzie Peschong, Kiley Wermersen and Jenna Tschetter. Not pictured is Cheyanne Kopera. [Order this photo]

"I think they've played pretty consistent like this a lot," said Okoboji head coach Dennis Baschke. "Those early runs allowed them to relax. When you get down to this caliber of teams, you're not going to score to many runs. You need to rely on defense like we did in this game."

The win sealed a seventh-place performance in Class 2A and allowed the Pioneers to reach the 30-win plateau for the season.

Makenzi Anderson of Okoboji singles down the right field line during the fourth inning of a Class 2A consolation final contest against Riverside Wednesday, July 22 at Veterans' Diamond in Fort Dodge. Anderson finished 2-for-3 at the plate and ended up hitting .600 in three state tournament games.

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The Pioneers tallied three runs off seven hits, but only their first three batters that stepped to the plate scored. Okoboji was held off the scoreboard in the final six stanzas.

The Lady Bulldogs were able to get one run back in the bottom of the fifth.

All four runs in the contest were of the unearned variety.

Okoboji (30-6) took advantage of two defensive miscues in its first at-bat. After leadoff hitter Landi Hunziker started the game with a single, Taylor Poppema and Jenny Brons both reached on errors. Brons chopper to second base allowed Hunziker to come into score. Miley Hunziker followed with a run-scoring grounder to shortstop. Then, Makenzi Anderson reached safely on a passed ball after striking out. Brons moved to third on the play and was able to jet home for the third run after tagging up on a sacrifice fly by Keely Bracelin.

The Pioneers left runners stranded in scoring position in the fourth, fifth and seventh innings. On two of those occasions, Okoboji spoiled leadoff singles off the bat of Anderson.

But senior righty Morgan Syverson didn't need much run support. She breezed through the Riverside batting lineup after allowing Skyler Stephens and Mallory Todd to start the game with two consecutive hits. From that point on, Syverson retired 12 Lady Bulldogs in a row until Jessica Joy drew a one-out walk in the bottom of the fifth.

The base on balls proved to be the only scoring opportunity Riverside would take advantage of all game long. Pinch runner Jenny Taylor advanced to second base after an illegal pitch was called on Syverson. Pioneer third baseman Landi Hunziker recorded the second out on a shallow pop up in foul ground, but an overthrow allowed Taylor to score all the way from second base.

Syverson limited Riverside (19-12) to only one base runner in the final two innings -- a one-out walk in the sixth.

The Okoboji defense stepped up as well in the latter stages of the game. Two of the defensive highlights came from a pair of sophomore outfielders. Right fielder Maggie Rohlk robbed designated hitter Felicia Winget of an extra-base hit in the fifth and center fielder Taylor Poppema made an outstanding shoestring catch in the sixth.

Syverson collected her 27th victory over the season in the final outing of her Pioneer career. She allowed one unearned run off two hits while striking out seven and walking two.

"It always takes her a ways to find it, " Baschke said about Syverson. "Then she did what she normally does. Our pitchers did well down here, except for that first game."

Winget was charged with the loss for the Lady Bulldogs after giving up three runs on two hits in two and two-third innings. She walked none and struck out three.

Six different Pioneers pounded out hits in the contest. Makenzi Anderson finished 2-for-3 with a stolen base and ended up hitting a robust .600 in three tournament games. Morgan Syverson was 1-for-2 and Hannah Hawkins went 1-for-3. Landi Hunziker, Jenny Brons and Taylor Poppema were each 1-for-4 with a run scored. Brons, Miley Hunziker and Keely Bracelin all finished with one RBI.

It was the final contest for four Okoboji seniors -- Morgan Syverson, Jenny Brons and twin sisters Landi and Miley Hunziker.

"They've played for awhile. Jenny started for us on the 2005 team and all the others started as freshman at their fielding positions. They contributed in all the wins we've had since then and they've done it for a long time," said Baschke.

"But that's a good way to get ready for next year," he added. "We're losing four kids, but all the other ones are back. Winning always makes it easier going into the offseason."