By Travis Smola
The Vicksburg varsity softball team put on a batting clinic against Otsego in a “Battle of the Bulldogs” matchup on the road. Vicksburg extended its record to 26-7 overall and 16-2 in conference after wins of 17-8 and 11-1.
The girls started off game one of the double-header red hot, scoring four runs. Otsego got two back in the first and second but then Vicksburg took control in the top of the third thanks to a monster triple on a bases-loaded play by senior Keagan Kelley that brought three Lady Bulldogs home.
Kelley was a hitting machine all night as she also had a two-run RBI in the top of the fourth inning of the second game and a solo home run in the top of the sixth of the first game.
Pretty much every player on the roster had a hit against Otsego. Rylie Richter, Avery Slancik, Kelsey Diekman, Camille Wadley, Lilian Vaughn and Tailynn Knapp all had strong showings at the plate, racking up multiple hits and RBIs.
As has become the norm for this team, they also feasted on Otsego’s many mistakes to advance runners while minimizing their own errors on defense.
The team is in good position to make a run as the regular season ends and moves to post-season play. Head Coach Paul Gephart praised his young roster for the way they’ve gotten stronger and gained confidence as the year as the season has progressed. “The more they’ve played, the more they’ve gelled,” he said.