Berg provides power in middle of lineup
By Kimberly Hunter
TNE Writer

On Friday NSU had their way with one of their best hitting games against Central Baptist College. An added game to the RiverHawk schedule did not add any stress to the players. It just meant more time to play and make things happen. Kaci Berg, Adair senior, had an incredible hitting game going 3-for-5 at the plate with two home runs and a double. She was not the only one having her way against the Central Baptist pitchers.

Aimee Bohannan, Owasso senior, Melissa Simms, Del City junior, Lauren Rome, Pottsboro, Texas, senior, Brooke Smith, Pryor senior, Candace Badger, Drumright senior, Jessica Johnson, Tulsa senior, and Brandy Kimberlin, Tulsa junior, all got good connections with the ball and even bringing in runners, In the first game the offense was there but it was the defense that caught attention. Starting with Johnson, who pitched four innings allowing only one hit and striking out eight batters, the game seemed to already be won. After the great effort put forth by the pitcher, the rest was in the gloves of her team. She led the way to the first win and the team just followed.

"We were just playing the game," Simms. NSU slaughtered Central Baptist, winning by a run rule. From the beginning of the game, despite the mighty winds, the RiverHawks showed up and made a statement.

The RiverHawks went on the run rule this team 8-0. There was a short recess, short enough not to lose the momentum they had, but long enough for Central Baptist to pull it together and make a come back for the next game. In Game 2 Lacee Craig, Bartlesville junior, pitched and she did not fall short of where Johnson left off. Craig brought home the victory in the second game pitching four innings, striking out five and allowing one hit.

In Game 2, the RiverHawks did not give in to the wind or cold, or tiredness; instead they picked up right where they left off in the first game. A change of pitchers did not fool these girls. They let her have it as well. It was this game that Berg hit a two-run home run in the first inning and a three-run in the fourth. The hits and runs batted in started with Berg but it did not end with her. Simms, Rome, Smith and Kelsey Totten, Shawnee senior, all contributed to the run rule over Central Baptist. This game was a short-lived game due to the massive slugging and so the game was put to rest and the RiverHawks pulled in another victory, winning 9-0.

"It felt really great to walk away with two run rules," said Rome. "They were a young team but very talented and we played like we know how." The plethora of hits left the RiverHawks feeling better and built some momentum for the final stretch of games approaching.

"It was an awesome hitting game and we needed that," said Smith. The RiverHawks improved their record to 20-19 of the year. They have upcoming doubleheaders against Midwestern and Southwestern Oklahoma State. Today NSU hosts Midwestern State at 1 p.m and on Saturday, April 26, NSU hosts Southwestern Oklahoma State at 2 p.m. NSU also plays at Midwestern State on Saturday at 1 p.m. and on Tuesday, April 22, NSU plays at Southwestern Oklahoma State at 2 p.m.

 

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