MarshfieldAreaSports.com
WESTON – Marshfield pitcher Rhiannon Baierl was at her best Monday when the Tigers desperately needed a victory.
The Tigers scored twice in the top of the first inning and Baierl made it stand up, scattering six hits and one walk over seven innings to lead Marshfield to a 2-0 Wisconsin Valley Conference softball victory.
The win moves Marshfield to 11-8 overall and 5-4 in the conference, which is tied with Wausau West for third place. D.C. Everest falls to 12-4 and 4-2 in the Valley, with both losses coming to Marshfield, which could be key when it comes to determining seeding in the WIAA Division 1 playoffs.
“It was a big win for us to come back after losing twice to Stevens Point (on Saturday) and splitting with Wausau West (last week),” Marshfield coach Mike Voss said. “It was close the whole way and we were short two starters (who were on a field trip).”
Baierl struck out six in the complete-game victory. She no-hit D.C. Everest in the first meeting of the season at Marshfield on April 20.
“Rhiannon came out and did an outstanding job staying ahead of hitters and making them swing at some out of the strike zone,” Voss said. “We played really good defensively (no errors). Kristin Kniech had some big plays at third base, Taylor (Varsho) made some nice plays at shortstop and Morgan Chaffin, at first base, did an outstanding job making plays in big situations.”
Marshfield scored both of its runs in the first inning. Andie Varsho led off with a single, stole second and third and scored on a passed ball. Taylor Varsho singled with one out, stole second, went to third on a passed ball and scored on a sacrifice fly by Baierl.
The Varsho sisters each had two hits for the Tigers.
Marshfield travels to Rhinelander on Tuesday and plays at home against Wausau East on Thursday.
Tigers 2, Evergreens 0
Marshfield 200 000 0 – 2 6 0
D.C. Everest 000 000 0 – 0 6 4
WP: Rhiannon Baierl. LP: Breanna Poeske.
SO: Baierl 6; Poeske 3. BB: Baierl 1; Poeske 1.
Top hitters: M, Taylor Varsho 2-for-3, Andie Varsho 2-for-4.
Records: Marshfield 11-8, 5-4 Wisconsin Valley; D.C. Everest 12-4, 4-2 Wisconsin Valley.
