Ridgewater fires blanks at St. Cloud
WILLMAR -- Though a north wind barreled across the college field overlooking the city, the Ridgewater Warriors were able to harness the Cyclones on Wednesday afternoon.
First, Calie Rittenour threw an 8-0 shutout at visiting St. Cloud Technical College and then Heather Thoma rubber-stamped the first game, also ending 8-0.
The Lady Warriors had a combined 24 hits in the two five-inning games. Rittenour, a freshman from Underwood, threw a seven-hitter with one walk and Thoma, a freshman from Willmar, a one-hitter with no walks.
"Our pitchers are keeping the ball low and letting the defense take care of the outs," said coach Todd Thorstad. "That's good pitching -- just one walk in two games."
The Cyclones, a new program in their second year, did make some good defensive plays to highlight their day.
Ridgewater improved to 10-0 in the Southern Division and 12-3 overall. The team will host Rochester at the college field at noon Saturday, then travel to Rochester on Monday for a make-up.
The Yellowjackets are ranked No. 4 in NJCAA Division III. Last year, Ridgewater and Rochester played for the region title with the Lady Warriors prevailing on their home field.
Ridgewater College 8, St. Cloud Tech College 0
Rittenour fanned seven and helped her cause with a pair of singles.
Britney Glisczinski doubled off the fence in the Lady Warriors 3-run fourth. Dorothy Saulsbury singled and tripled and Tara Thielke, Brittany Ribar and Patina Queenan each supplied a double and an RBI.
Whitney Gettler gave up 13 hits and walked two in the loss.
SC Tech College 000 00 -- 0 7 2
Ridgewater College 122 3x -- 8 13 0
HITTING - St. Cloud Tech College: Katie Sieben 1-for-3, Karmin Remer 2-for-2, 2b; Danielle Trebold 1-for-3, Jamie Walther 1-for-2, Jamie Tanner 1-for-2, Whitney Gettler 1-for-2, 2b .... Ridgewater College: Kristen Hegna 1-for-2, rbi; Tara Thielke 1-for-3, 2b, rbi; Cali Rittenour 2-for-3, Britney Glisczinski 1-for-2, 2b, rbi; Sam Drees 2-for-2, rbi; Dorothy Saulsbury 2-for-3, 3b, rbi; Brittney Ribar 2-fgo-3 2b, rbi; Patina Queenan 2-for-2, 2b, 2 rbi
PITCHING (ip-h-r-er-bb-so) -- St. Cloud Tech College: Whitney Gettler (L) 4-13-8-7-2-3 .... Ridgewater College: Cali Rittenour (W) 5-7-0-0-1-7
Ridgewater College 8, St. Cloud Tech College 0
Thoma fanned the side in the Cyclone half of the first. She only fanned one more Tech batter but didn't issue any free passes. The only hit allowed was a Rachel Johnson single in the second.
Willmar scored single runs in the first, second and third before Rittenour blasted a 3-run homer to left-center in the fourth inning. The freshman from Underwood went 3-for-3.
Cyclone starter Jamie Tanner, sophomore out of Atwater-Cosmos-Grove-City, took the loss.
St. Cloud Tech College 000 00 -- 0 1 1
Ridgewater (10-0, 12-3) 111 5x -- 8 11 2
HITTING -St. Cloud Tech College: Rachel Johnson 1-for-2 .... Ridgewater College: Kristen Hegna 1-for-3, Tara Thielke 1-for-3, 2 rbi; Calie Rittenour 3-for-3, 2b, 3-run HR; Britney Glisczinski 1-for-2, rbi; Verena Weber 1-for-1, Dorothy Saulsbury 1-for-3, Kelsey Stach 1-for-3, Patina Queenan 1-for-2 2b; Kayla Terres 1-for-1 rbi
PITCHING (ip-h-r-er-bb-so) -- St. Cloud Tech College: Jamie Tanner (L) 4-11-8-7-1-1 .... Ridgewater College: Heather Thoma (W) 5-1-0-0-0-4
