Bauer’s grand slam paves the way for 8-2 win over Forest Lake

With one swing of the bat, the Hastings girls softball team scored more runs last week than their opponents combined.

In the first inning of Thursday’s game against Forest Lake, HHS junior Lori Bauer hit a grand slam. Hastings went on to win, 8-2.

On Monday, Hastings got another win, this time beating Park, 11-1, in six innings.

The grand slam was Bauer’s second home run of the year. It came as no surprise to coach Dean Robinson, who had served up a pitch to Bauer in practice the day before and he saw it bang off the scoreboard in left field.

“I knew it was gone right away,” he said of the play. “She hit one exactly like that the day before. This was a ditto of that one. As soon as she hit it, I knew it was over the fence.”

Having scored a run earlier in the inning, Hastings jumped out to a 5-0 lead over the Rangers and never looked back.

“That grand slam was something that triggered our team,” Robinson said. “It’s a lot easier on the pitcher, the catcher, the coaches and the defense once you get a five-run lead in the first inning. Hits like that can really carry you.”

The first run of the inning was knocked in by Kaitlyn Stark, who scored Hailey Lundquist.

That was all the offense that senior pitcher Treya Connell would need. She cruised to the win, striking out 12, walking just one and allowing just five hits. One of the runs was earned.

Hastings scored again in the third. Lundquist walked and eventually scored on a single by Connell.

In the fourth, Hastings added another run. Kelsey Nelson singled and scored on a double by Britt Robinson.

The final Hastings run scored after Bauer reached on an error. Lindquist singled her in.

Connell had three hits on the night. Stef Wical and Stark finished with two hits.

Vs Park

Hastings had no trouble with Park on Monday night, winning 11-1 in six innings.

Bauer was again a key, recording six RBIs on the night.

Hastings got on the board on an RBI single by Connell, scoring Lundquist.

In the third, Hastings added four runs. Makaila Mills reached and stole second. Connell walked and Stark singled to score Mills. Wical singled to score Shelby Wassink, who was running for Connell. Bauer then delivered an RBI that scored two runs.

In the fifth, Robinson singled, Connell walked and Stark singled to score Robinson. Bauer then delivered another double, scoring two more.

In the sixth, Mills reached, Connell walked and Stark walked to load the bases for Wical. She hit into a fielder’s choice, scoring one. Bauer then hit a single over the second baseman, scoring two more runs.

Connell pitched for Hastings and struck out six in six innings, earning another win.

She was aided by another strong defensive effort by her teammates. Hastings had no errors in the game.

“We played a solid defensive game,” Robinson said. “We hit the ball pretty well, too. It took us a little bit to get going. Once we did, we started hitting the ball. We got runners on base and started moving them around. That was definitely a big part of our game – moving runners around when they got on base.”

So far

Hastings has a 4-1 record so far on the season.

“The season is going really well,” Robinson said. “The girls have really stepped up. A lot of these players are first-time varsity players. Some of the things they’ve showed me, it’s nice to see. They’re only going to get stronger and better as the season goes on. We definitely have a strong program for the next few years with the girls we have. With the girls who are coming up, you can tell they’ve done their homework. That’s only going to help our season this year.

“It’s going to be a great season as long as the girls stay focused and keep being team players, we should be in great shape.”

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