The Atlantic Trojans fought their way to a 5-2 win over the Cherokee-Washington Braves Thursday night. Despite an early 2-0 lead, Atlantic failed to break the game open. This was largely due to a solid performance by Braves pitcher Mahren Malausky, who at one point retired nine Trojans in a row. Although Cherokee-Washington tied the game at two in the third, it never felt as if Atlantic lost control. Less than two innings later, the Trojans took the lead for good. Although it was by no means a perfect performance, a win is all that mattered for the Trojans as they advanced to the regional semi-final.
Heavily favored and home, the Trojans started the game the way many would expect. They got out to an early lead. The top of the lineup got to work quickly, and Jillian Saathoff (2-3, 3 RBIs) came through with a two RBI single to give Atlantic the lead. However, after the opening inning, the bats went quiet. Malausky painted the corners through the next 3 innings and induced a lot of soft contact on her way to retiring eight in a row, which left the door open for the Braves to stay in the game. In the top of the third, Cherokee-Washington started to apply the pressure. Playing station to station, the Braves loaded the bases for their most explosive hitter. Sophie Thornson (1-3) smacked a line drive into left field to tie the game at two.
The Trojans did get out of the inning without giving up the lead, but it felt as if it was a shock to the system. Although it took a couple of innings, Atlantic took the lead for good in the fifth. Lila Wiederstein (2-3, 2 R) led off the inning by legging out a softly hit double. An error and a walk set up loaded the bases for Jillian Saathoff to drive home two for the Trojans, to reestablish the lead. The next at-bat, Zoe Kirchhoff grounded out to score London Kirchhoff to give Atlantic a 3-run lead. It was the Trojans’ game from this moment forward. Peyton McLaren, who entered in the fourth, shut down the Braves late in the ball game. Giving up just a single hit, she retired the last 11 batters she saw to close things out.
It definitely was not Atlantic’s flashiest performance of the season. Outside of the two early runs, the bats were slow to come around. The defense, which played well, especially Zoe Kirchhoff at shortstop, did make a few mistakes. However, regardless of what the expectations were or how pretty or ugly a game may be, the Trojans did the only thing that mattered in the postseason, which is to win the ballgame.
Head coach Terry Hinzmann was pleased that his team did what they needed to do to win the game.
Offensively it was the top of the lineup that came through for the Trojans.
Although she didn’t start, seeing McLaren was likely in the cards and she didn’t disappoint.
The Trojans will face off against Unity Christian in the Region 5 semifinal on Saturday and coach Hinzmann wants his team to stick to what’s worked.
That Region 5 semifinal will be hosted in Atlantic. First pitch will be at 7 pm and you can catch all the action on KJANTV with pregame coverage starting 6:50.
