The Atlantic Trojans Girls Softball team is off to a great start to their 2026 campaign. They are 2-0 following an opening day doubleheader sweep over the Denison-Schleswig Monarchs. The Trojans defeated the Monarchs in game one in a four inning run rule by a score of 14-4. It was an offensive barrage that was sparked by a 7-run second inning. In game two, they won 3-1 behind a phenomenal pitching performance by Peyton McLaren.
Game 1 was only four innings due to the run rule in which Atlantic dominated. Denison got off to a quick 2-0 lead in the first but that was the only lead they had the whole night. The hits piled up over the first two innings for the Trojans, which was highlighted by a home run by Jillian Saathoff. Four of the first five batters in the 2nd inning reached, and it became a hit parade as they batted around the order and made it 10-3 by the top of the third inning. Entering the 4th it was 13-4, and Jillian Saathoff ended up on third after a single and a sac fly. She went on to win the game on a steal of home after Lila Wiederstein walked.
Game two was much different. Atlantic got out to a 1-0 lead on an RBI double from Zoe Kirchoff in the first inning, scoring Wiederstein. Lila and Zoe ended up being responsible for all three runs the Trojans would score in game two. Lila Wiederstein collected an RBI single in her second AB and Kirchoff knocked in another run in her third AB. The story of game two though, rested on the right arm of Peyton McLaren. She pitched a complete game and allowed just one run and two hits. She got out of a jam in the sixth inning after allowing a leadoff triple, allowing just one run. Although it was a a good sweep for a Trojans, there are always things to work on according to coach Hinzmann:
Peyton McLaren was one of the big reasons for the win in the second game:
The first game was what Coach Hinzmann wants the offense to look like, but there are some things he wants to see improve next game:
The Atlantic Trojans will look to move to 3-0 to start their 2026 season as they face Missouri Valley tomorrow night at home, with first pitch at 7:00pm
