Knights knock off defending champ Griswold in Corner tournament

Fremont-Mills used a three run fifth inning and a gem of a pitching performance by Adelynn Billingsley to defeat defending champion Griswold 4-1 in the Corner Conference Softball Tournament finals in Griswold Friday evening.
The Knights (16-2) were tied 1-1 heading into the bottom of the fifth when they pushed three runs across. Saige Mitchell started the rally off with a double that drove in Abby Malcom who walked to open the inning.
“Everyone played a part in the win,” said Fremont-Mills coach Kyle Fichter. “Some of the usual stuff we usually do didn’t happen so the kids adjusted and got it done. The fifth inning worked out in our favor with timely hits, bunts, base running and errors.”
The slim lead was all Billingsley needed. The freshman pitched two scoreless innings to close out the win. She finished her night allowing just three hits and a walk while striking out three.
“Adelynn pitched phenomenal and the defense behind her did their jobs,” Fichter said. “It was a total team effort and everyone had a part in the win.”
The Tigers’ lone run came on Amanda Houser’s fourth inning solo home run.
Ailey Wahlert took the loss in the circle for the Tigers after allowing four hits and two earned runs while striking out five.

Semifinals

Fremont-Mills 17,
Stanton 0
Fremont-Mills pounded 15 hits and Saige Mitchell tossed a four-hit shutout in the circle in a 17-0 win over Stanton in the Corner Conference Softball Tournament semifinals Thursday in Tabor.
Mitchell allowed just four singles while walking one and striking out four.
Lana Alley and Reese Gute had three hits each for the Knights. Alley drove in one run and Gute drove in three. Lindze Smith had two hits and four RBIs and Abby Malcom singled and drove in three runs.
Quinn McDonald had two hits to lead Stanton at the plate.
Lucy Dreyer took the loss in the circle. The eighth grader struck out four and walked four while surrendering 11 earned runs.

Griswold-CAM 6,
Bedford 4

Griswold-CAM blew open a 1-0 deficit with a five run fourth inning on its way to a 6-4 win over Bedford in the Corner Conference Softball Semifinals Thursday.
Braxton Gipple led Griswold with two hits and an RBI.
Ailey Wahlert struck out seven and scattered eight hits in a complete game win.
Quarterfinals

Stanton 18,
East Mills 8
Stanton smacked 10 hits in an 18-8 win over East Mills in the Corner Conference Softball Tournament Quarterfinals Thursday in Tabor.
Lilly Ford was 4-of-4 at the plate and drove in two runs for the Viqueens. Macen Allen and Cooper Stephens had two hits and had two RBIs each.
Quinn McDonald picked up the win in the circle. The freshman allowed three hits and two earned runs while striking out six.
Caitlyn Crouse took the loss for the Wolverines. She allowed eight hits and 10 earned runs in three innings of work.
Rilee Vasquez had two hits and Gwen Blanton singled and drove in a run for East Mills.

Griswold-CAM 15,
Essex 0
Keeley Kinney tossed a no hitter for Griswold in a 15-0, four-inning win over Essex in the Corner Conference Softball Tournament Thursday.
Kinney struck out eight and walked two in the win.
Braxton Gipple and Daphna Wahlert collected to hits each and combined to drive in four runs.
Ella Sandahl took the loss for Essex after allowing nine hits and nine earned runs.