Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
The Pink Sox girls' slow pitch softball team knows how to play. Currently undefeated, the crew hams it up for the camera. And yes- each player and coach has their very own pair of pink socks. From left to right: Back row: Coach Erin Greiner, Ava Peterson, Kelsie Belquist, Katie Allmaras, Tillie Swart, Lora Wobbema, Coach Joe Greiner. Front row: Paige Knatterud, Emmie Belquist, Kaci Weisenbuerger, Karsyn Wetzel, Alivia Yri and Logan Cudworth. Not pictured: Olivia Larson and Bailey Baumbach.
In only their second year on the slowpitch softball circuit, the New Rockford Park District Pink Sox are a force on the field. Since Manager Dennis Nybo entered them in the Ponytail League, which includes two teams from Devils Lake and area squads from Cando, Lakota and Dakota Prairie, they've gone 10-0 in league play and currently have a #1 seed going into the playoffs.
With encouragement and support from coaches Joe and Erin Greiner, all 13 players have come into their own and made an impression on the league.
On the mound for the Sox are Paige Knatterud and Logan Cudworth. Both have shown great improvement this season and contributed to the team's success. Another key contributor on the field is Alivia Yri, who has shown "incredible aptitude for catching" and works very hard to make plays at home plate. The infield and outfield players step up when needed to keep their opponents from making runaway plays, greatly limiting their run potential. In fact, the team's average for runs allowed is 1.4 per game, and the most any team has scored against the Sox is 3 points.
On offense, Tillie Swart, Lora Wobbema, Katie Allmaras, Kelsie Belquist and Ava Peterson have been the most consistent hitters. However, each of the girls make good contact with the ball, according to Erin.
"The reason we are doing so well is that all 13 girls help advance runners," she noted. That is evident from their stats, as they've scored an average 7.5 runs per game.
"The girls have learned to be flexible as Joe and I try to rotate where everyone plays," Erin said. "As much as we want to win, I also want these girls learning the game and improving." Even the young first-year players, including Kaci Weisenburger, Karsyn Wetzel, Olivia Larson and Emmie Belquist, have made great strides in their hitting and fielding.
The Sox played two more games in Devils Lake on Thursday, July 11 after press time. They finish out league play this week with two games in Devils Lake on Tuesday, July 16 at 10 a.m. in Roosevelt Park, then a doubleheader at home on Thursday, July 18 starting at 5:30 p.m.
The locals also have a chance to compete against an opponent from their inaugural league. Harvey will travel to New Rockford on Monday, July 22 at 10 a.m. to take on the Sox in their last regular season home game. Relatives, friends and sports fans are encouraged to come out and support the girls.
Playoffs are set for July 23 in Devils Lake. Watch the Transcript sports page for all the details.
Pink Sox Softball Scoreboard
June 18 @ Devils Lake
Game 1 vs Devils 1- 11-1
Game 2 vs Devils 1- 7-0
June 25 @ Devils Lake
Game 1 vs Lakota- 7-3
Game 2 vs Lakota- 2-0
June 27 @ home
Game 1 vs DP- 11-3
Game 2 vs DP- 15-3
July 2 @ Devils Lake
Game 1 vs Cando- 1-0
Game 2 vs Cando- 11-1
July 9 @ Devils Lake
Game 1 vs DP- 2-0
Game 2 vs DP- 8-3
