Girls Softball Senior Night ends with a thrilling 2-1 win over Pontiac

 

[May 11, 2023] 

LCHS softball players Malena Kirgan, Adison Rumler, Cara Farnam, Alexandria Eads, McKenzie Worth and Chloe Johnston celebrated Senior Night at Schweitzer Field on Tuesday afternoon with a spectacular 2-1 win over Pontiac. Senior manager Gracelyn Keith was also honored for her commitment to the team.

Cara Farnam was in the circle for the Lady Railers Tuesday afternoon versus Pontiac. After a lead-off walk and a single allowed the Indians to score the first run of the game in the top of the first inning, Farnam settled in and retired the next three batters on a ground out and two strikeouts.

Lincoln would tie the game in the bottom of the third inning as Taryn Stoltzenburg singled with one out and stole second base during Farnam’s at-bat. After a pop out by Farnam, Adi Rumler entered the batter’s box and she crushed a triple to right field on a 2-2 count. Stoltzenburg was able to race home with the tying run and it was a brand new ballgame.

With two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning, Stoltzenburg singled again to reach base. Stoltzenburg was quick to advance to second on a wild pitch with Farnam in the batter’s box. Farnam would smack a solid line drive to left field to score Stoltzenburg and the Lady Railers went ahead 2-1.

The last six outs of the game recorded by the Lady Railers were quick outs. In the top of the sixth inning, Farnam was able to induce three ground balls for outs. In the top of the seventh inning, Kirgan fielded a ground ball to third cleanly and then it was Farnam getting the final two batters on strikeouts.

The Lady Railers played an outstanding game in the field and they earned the right to celebrate a 2-1 win on Senior Night.

Cara Farnam (18-8) got the win for Lincoln. Farnam worked seven innings, allowing three hits and one run. She walked one batter and struck out 12 batters. It was a good day’s work for the senior, who was announced earlier in the day as the Valedictorian of the LCHS Class of 2023.

For the season, Farnam has thrown 2,749 pitches in 173 innings. She has a 1.69 ERA. She currently has 228 strikeouts for the season and is chasing the record of 255 strikeouts.

Lincoln had five hits versus Pontiac.

Taryn Stoltzenburg had a terrific day at the plate. She was 3-for-3 with two runs scored.

The seniors and their proud parents

 The seniors pose by their really cool posters near the concession stand at Schweitzer Field.

Seniors Alex Eads, Cara Farnam, Malena Kirgan, Chloe Johnston, Gracelyn Keith, Adi Rumler and McKenzie Worth were honored prior to the game versus Pontiac.
 

Cara Farnam and Adi Rumler each had one hit and one RBI.

Neither team committed an error.

Lincoln coach LeeAnn Gilbert thought the key to the win was the efficiency of the team.

“I felt like we kept the ball down,” said Gilbert. “Cara kept the ball down. She fielded her position extremely well and we made the plays. Malena and Cara, I think, were really the only two that had a ball hit to them and they made the plays. We got the timely hits when we needed to and stole a base here and there. It was a well-played game, really on both sides.”

The Lady Railers improved to 18-14 on the season.

Lincoln will play at MacArthur next Monday at 4:30 p.m.

Congratulations, Seniors, on a great season so far!

[Teena Lowery]