GIRARD, Kan. — Frontenac softball pushed across 30 runs on 31 hits during a CNC League doubleheader sweep Monday night against Girard, 13-1 in seven and 17-0 in five innings.
Senior pitcher Avery Johnson also overpowered Girard at times with a combined 22 strikeouts over 12 innings pitched. She fanned 14 in the first game and eight more in the nightcap.
"Any time you can hit the ball like we did, you're able to produce runs," Frontenac coach Cassie Rhuems said. "Avery was lights out. She had 22 strikeouts in 12 innings, so she's really figuring out how to deal and she's getting her stamina, her endurance back. Her kids played great behind her, she had great defense behind her and we finally figured out how to put the barrel on the ball the right way, not trying to send fly balls to the sky. Hitting is contagious. Once one person figured it out, the rest of them figured it out too, and that's what we want from our kids."
The Raiders plated seven runs in the first, three in the second, fourth and fifth and one in the third to secure the sweep. Maddie Call hit a two-run homer and No. 9 hitter Hadley Goodwin closed out the first with a grand slam.
"She's a good kid and works hard," Rhuems said about the freshman Goodwin. "She's always working to get better. It's a big moment for her and we're happy to be a part of it with her. The best is yet to come for her. She's just going to continue to grow and I'm more excited to see where she can get."
Tenley Sullivan hit a two-run homer in the second and doubles in the first and fourth in her first three plate appearances.
"Ten's kinda been struggling at the plate," Rhuems said. "She's been really frustrated with herself. That's a big moment for her. She just got more consistent as the night went on. Hopefully, she can use those moments to build her confidence, because she's a great hitter and she just has to believe it."
Johnson started the scoring with a RBI single in the first and then hit another RBI single in the third.
The Raiders outscored St. Mary's Colgan, Riverton and Girard 81-10 en route to a 6-0 start in CNC play.
Frontenac improved to 11-1 on the season and return to action Thursday on the road against Prairie View and Friday again on the road in Chanute, weather permitting.
"We have some big games coming up in the latter part of the week," Rhuems said. "We've got a lot of games in a short amount of time, but that's what we need to do. We need to build that endurance in Avery and to be put in situations where maybe we play from behind or whatever it may be and see different velocities. We're just trying to prepare ourselves for what's to come."
In the nightcap, Girard senior Alaina McGown singled in the first and fellow senior Lynsey Bryant and junior Maddie Coester legged out infield singles in the third and fourth, respectively.
The Trojans dropped to 4-6 and 2-4 CNC entering Thursday's home doubleheader with Riverton.
