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Westwood softball sweeps twinbill with Hancock

HANCOCK — By this point in the softball season, coaches want their teams to be reaching their peak at the plate and the Westwood Patriots are definitely getting close to that point.

The Patriots scored 30 total runs over the course of Friday’s doubleheader with Hancock as they swept the twinbill, 15-0 and 15-6. Westwood’s Ellie Miller finished the afternoon with three homers.

“Ellie was on fire,” Patriots head coach Jared Koski said. “She had her swinging shoes on and just tattooed the ball. The girls ran the bases hard and took extra bases when we could and they got runs when we needed them.”

In the opener, Westwood was designated the home team and they picked up three runs in the bottom of the first inning. The Patriots continued to pile on from there with Miller hitting a three-run homer to complete the mercy-rule victory in the fourth inning.

Natalie Prophet went 3 for 4 with a homer for Westwood, while Karlie Patron went 2 for 2 with two doubles.

Patron also got the win in the circle for the Patriots as she held the Bulldogs to just one hit and three walks, while striking out five. Kaydence Kilpela took the loss for Hancock as she gave up 15 hits and six walks with one strikeout.

The nightcap was a little more competitive. Westwood, who was the away team, jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the top of the first, but Hancock got a run back in its half of the frame. The Bulldogs then took their first lead of the day by pushing across four runs in the second inning.

The Patriots rebounded with two runs in the top of the third, but Hancock answered back with a run in the bottom of the frame to tie things up at 6-6. After that though, it was all Patriots. Westwood plated three runs in the fourth and pulled away from the Bulldogs.

“I thought our pitchers battled some tough conditions and just worked on getting the ball over the plate and then relied on the defense to make plays,” Koski said. “They did their jobs and the defense worked well together. Hancock came out with a lot of fire. They hit the ball hard on us and made some good plays. I give them a lot of credit. Our bats just overcame that and we had a good finish.”

Miller went 4 for 4 with two homers for the Patriots, while Madi Koski went 3 for 4. Sophie Heinonen and Marina Kero both had three hits for the Bulldogs.

Allie Radcliffe notched the win for Westwood, giving up 17 hits and two walks with zero strikeouts. Delaney Heinonen was dealt the loss for Hancock after surrendering 14 hits and five walks with four strikeouts.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Writer Ryan Stieg. His email address is rstieg@miningjournal.net.

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