The Atlantic Trojan softball team picked up a huge road victory over conference foe Clarinda 9-5 Wednesday night. The big hits came at the biggest moments as five of Atlantic’s nine runs came via the home run. On the mound Zoey Kirchhoff showed incredible resilience in tough situations keeping the top of Clarinda’s line up relatively silent. although the runs didn’t come right away, Atlantic was on the base paths all night long putting the leadoff hitting on in five of the seven innings.

Early on, it looked bound to be a low scoring affair, and things didn’t go the way of the Trojans. Kirchoff allowed the first two hitters to reach base while a throwing error brought home the first run of the game for Clarinda. As she did all night, Kirchhoff responded by striking out the next four. However, the Cardinals would strike again in the third as Annika price lined an RBI double into the gap to give Clarinda a 2-0 lead. Mallory Wood pitched to contact and let the solid Clarinda defense work behind her. However, that would change in the fifth.

Down by two and already having stranded 3 runners at third base, it felt as if the game was in the balance. Once again, the Trojans got on leadoff batter on base as Claire Schroeder notched a single, which was quickly followed by McKenna Schroeder reaching on an error. A sac bunt and sac fly later; the Trojans were in prime position to take the lead. Then came the first defining moment. Lila Wiederstein launched a two-run homer to straightway center to put Atlantic up 4-2. Wiederstein finished 4-for-4 with 3 RBIs and the homer.

Despite the Trojans having all the momentum, Clarinda didn’t make it easy. Mallory Woods responded with a 2 RBI single to level the game in the sixth. However, Kirchhoff’s resilience shone once again as she stranded two Cardinals and prevented them from retaking the lead. All squared heading into the final frame the Trojans wasted no time getting back to work. Alivia Knuth and McKenna Schroeder started the inning off with back-to-back singles. Wiederstein would come through again driving in Knuth to give the Trojans the lead back before Kirchhoff put the nail in the coffin. Her third of the year, she sent well to left center to put Atlantic up by 4. Claire Schroeder picked up a Rbi single to extend the lead again before the ball went back to Kirchhoff who faced the minimum in the seventh. Head coach Terry Hinzmann was glad to see his team take advantage of their opportunities, even though they struggled early on.

There was nothing but praise for Wiederstein as she continues to produce and lead despite her injury.

Kirchhoff also got high remarks for her resiliency.

In a night of ups and downs Hinzmann was most proud of the way the Trojans responded to the pressure.

The win is the second against Clarinda this year and brings them to within a game of second place in the Hawkeye Ten. Atlantic moved to 19-10 on the year and will return home to face Red Oak Thursday while Clarinda now 17-7, remain at home to face Creston.