Short-handed Hodags fall to Merrill in fastpitch

The Rhinelander High School softball team was forced to go deep into its pitching rotation on Thursday, April 16 and, ultimately, did not have enough offense to keep up in its first GNC loss of the season.

Merrill scored six times in the sixth inning, including a grand slam by Maddie Rogalla, as it defeated Rhinelander 13-6 at the Merrill Area Recreation Complex. 

Hodag starting pitcher Aleece Johnson fell ill hours before the game and, with No. 2 option Kendall Vanney (toe) still sidelined, freshman Carsen Schallock was thrust into action for her first varsity start. 

She and the Hodags hung around against Merrill for most of the contest, trailing by a run until the Bluejays’ big outburst in the sixth.

“We battled all night tonight,” coach Ali Bender said. “We definitely went into that game with some sickness and some injuries. Our team right now is really facing some adversity and overall, I’m just really proud of these girls, putting them into a position that they’re playing on JV and now all of a sudden you’re playing on varsity.”

Merrill strung six hits together in the sixth inning, including a two-run single by Jacey Lyon. Another single and a walk loaded the bases with one out for Rogalla, who took the first pitch she saw deep to left. 

“We were playing really, really good ball. We got some runs, and then they got some runs,” Bender said. “Ultimately it just came down to the last inning … So again, very competitive ball. We are looking to get healthy again and have everyone back, and I think that’ll be a different ball game the next time we play.”

Rhinelander jumped out to the lead in the top of the first as Chase Verbist singled and scored when Maddie Paulson reached on an errant throw on her bunt single. Paulson ended up at third on the play and scored two batters later on a Saige Mutter groundout. 

Merrill answered right back with three runs in the first and two more in the second. Rhinelander pulled within one in the fourth as Cassidy Lindner doubled home Ava Rathbun and scored following an error off a passed ball.

The Bluejays regained a three-run edge in the bottom of the inning before Rhinelander responded with a two-out rally in the fifth. Kalyn Miller reached on an error, allowing Kadyn Taylor — who also got aboard via an error — to score. Three straight walks followed. The last, drawn by Lindner, allowed Miller to score.

Rhinelander collected five hits in the game, including two from Rathbun. 

Schallock took the loss, allowing 13 runs on 11 hits with eight walks and four strikeouts over six innings. Bender said the freshman pitched well, considering the circumstances. 

“What a tremendous job by a freshman to come into a varsity game when you didn’t even think you were going to play. Get called upon, and you produce,” she said. “I’ve been watching her throughout practice, I’ve been watching her in the JV games, and she’s throwing strikes. If she can pitch strikes, we can play the defense. That’s all we needed her to do is go out tonight and have that confidence and pitch those strikes. We’re going to have some walks here and there. But overall, just super proud of her to be called upon last minute and go out there and do what she did.”

Abbie Krueger went 4 1/3 innings in the win for Merrill. Lyon pitched the final 2 2/3 innings to record the save. 

Rhinelander (7-5, 3-1 Great Northern) has a busy week in store. It began yesterday with a make-up game against Tomahawk at home, which concluded after press time for today’s edition. Rhinelander travels to defending GNC champion Mosinee on Tuesday before getting a home rematch with Lakeland on Thursday. 

Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].