Woodbury Softball: Royals stop losing skid against Roseville

The Woodbury softball team saw its losing streak reach five games, before the Royals’ bats woke up in a 7-3 win over Suburban East Conference foe Roseville last week.

Woodbury used a big third inning to beat the Raiders (7-11; 6-11 SEC). The Royals (4-13; 4-13 SEC) scored five runs in the frame to open up a 5-0 lead, which was all they would need.

Seniors Sam Kosel and Ali Jacobsen led the Woodbury offense in the game, each going 2-for-3 with three RBI and a run scored. Also, senior Alex Benedict and junior Brooke Pantila were each 1-for-4 with an RBI and senior Josie Ryan was 1-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored. Pantila earned the win on the rubber, going six innings, allowing three earned runs and striking out six.

Prior to the win, Woodbury had suffered five straight losses, including defeats of 2-1 to Stillwater, 4-2 to White Bear Lake and 2-0 to Cretin-Derham Hall last week.

In the loss to Stillwater (11-7; 10-7 SEC) last Monday, Woodbury led 1-0 in the top of seventh inning with two outs, but the Ponies scored two runs to take the lead and held on to steal the win.

Jacobsen took the tough-luck loss, throwing a complete-game, three-hitter striking out six. Woodbury didn’t compile much offense in the game, however, junior Jamie Reetz, Kosel and senior Chloe Richter each had one hit, with Kosel coming through with the lone RBI in the game.

Against White Bear Lake on Wednesday, Woodbury took a 2-0 first-inning lead, but saw it slip away. After cutting the deficit to 2-1 with a run in the bottom of the second inning, White Bear Lake (11-5; 11-5 SEC) went up 3-2 with a pair of runs in the fifth, then tacked on a run in the sixth and held on.

Pantila led the way, going 2-for-3 in the loss. Also, Amanda Retica went 1-for-2 with two RBI and Ryan was 1-for-3 with a run scored.

In the loss to Cretin-Derham Hall, Woodbury was held to five scattered hits by the Raiders (7-10; 7-10 SEC). Reetz was 2-for-3 in the game and Benedict, Ryan and senior Emily Beedle each had singles. Though she again pitched well enough to win, Jacobsen suffered another loss, going six innings, allowing six hits and two earned runs while striking out two.

Woodbury closed out the regular season at home against East Ridge on Monday, after the Bulletin went to press.

Next, the team starts the postseason with the Section 4AAA tournament, starting May 21 at McKnight Fields in North St. Paul.

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