By TODD FERTIG
TopSports.news
The Silver Lake softball team, Class 3A state runnersup the past two seasons, are looking to be a contender once again.
The Eagles improved to 7-1 on the season by blasting Big East League foe Nemaha Central in two run-rule-shortened games Thursday.
Sophomore Mariah Kortan had two doubles and a home run in Silver Lake's twinbill sweep over Nemaha Central. [Photo by Todd Fertig/TSN]
The Eagles rapped out 18 hits on the day, winning the doubleheader at Silver Lake 12-2 and 15-4.
“I feel like we went out and competed at the plate a little better today,” said Silver Lake coach Nick Hamilton. “We weren’t quite as timid as we’d been the last couple of days. When we get into tight spots, we’ve just got to be willing to play out of them and trust what we’re doing. Trust each other.
“The last couple of years, we’ve had some good hitting teams. I think (this year’s group) has caught on to what that secret is and they’re doing all right. A little more consistency would help, but we’re getting there.”
Senior Riley Mohler pitched a first-game four-hitter in Silver Lake's twinbill sweep over Nemaha Central. [Photo by Todd Fertig/TSN]
Silver Lake got complete games from senior starting pitchers Riley Mohler and Paige Heiman. In the first game, Mohler permitted just four hits and struck out six batters. In the nightcap, Heiman surrendered six hits and struck out four.
“They’re both good in their own ways,” Silver Lake senior catcher Taylor Swygert, who caught both games, said of Mohler and Heiman. “They both have varieties and diversities when it comes to their strengths and weaknesses. So, they’re both really fun to work with and both really cool girls.”
In the first game, the Eagles took advantage of three Thunder errors in the second inning to grab an early lead and continued to add on. The Silver Lake offense rapped out four doubles in the game, two by sophomore Mariah Kortan. Swygert drove in four runs on two two-run singles.
Leading 7-2 in the bottom of the fifth, the floodgates opened on the Thunder. Five hits and two walks ballooned the score to 12-2, invoking the mercy rule.
In the second game, the Eagles hung a ‘9’ on the board in the second inning and a ‘5’ in the third. Saylor Liggett belted a triple with two runners on base in the second inning. A few batters later, Kortan blasted a three-run homer.
The Eagles have come up short in the past two 3A state championship tournaments, losing to Frontenac both times. Silver Lake graduated five seniors from the team that placed second in last year’s tournament.
Though this team is off to a hot start, Hamilton recognizes every year is different.
“They aren’t going to do it the same way we’ve done it the last two years. They’ve got to find their own way,” the coach said. “We’ve got some young girls, sophomores especially, stepping in to play some. It does help having some girls returning from last year’s state team because they have that experience. But it’s one of those things where we just go on to the next year, reload, and they know the expectations.”
Swygert, who recently committed to play softball at Cloud County Community College, complimented the players who are stepping into bigger roles this year.
“They’re all a part of the team and they’re all doing their jobs,” Swygert said. “I think all the seniors before me would say the same thing. You shouldn’t take anything for granted, but just live in the moment. It’s just a game so have fun with everybody around you.”
A number of Hamilton’s players were still playing basketball just a few weeks ago. Silver Lake claimed the 3A state basketball championship this year, adding another trophy to the 3A volleyball championship the school won in the fall.
“This has been a fun group to watch in all sports,” Hamilton said. “Everything they’ve done has been competitive. It’s been fun just to be a part of it.”
GAME ONE
SILVER LAKE 12, NEMAHA CENTRAL 2
Nemaha Central 100 01 -- 2 4 3
Silver Lake 122 25 -- 12 12 1
Mohler and Swygert. Burkitt, Nordhus (5) and Hermesch. W -- Mohler. L -- Burkitt. 2B -- Nemaha Central: Hermesch. Silver Lake: Mariah Kortan 2, May, Heiman.
GAME TWO
SILVER LAKE 15, NEMAHA CENTRAL 4
Nemaha Central (1-6) 100 12 -- 4 6 1
Silver Lake (7-1) 195 0x -- 15 16 0
Heiman and Swygert. McKee, Nordhus (2), Burkitt (3) and Hermesch. W -- Heiman. L -- McKee. 2B -- Nemaha Central: Hermesch, Beebe-Dishong. 3B -- Silver Lake: Liggatt. HR -- Silver Lake: Mariah Kortan.
