Rensberger’s gem helps Rochester stay in TRC title contention

Wilson scores winning run on error in 3-run fifth

BY VAL TSOUTSOURIS

Sports Editor, RTC

Aubrey WIlson Bria Rensberger

Softball

Rochester 3, Whitko 2 (Monday): Bria Rensberger pitched a two-hitter with 11 strikeouts, and Aubrey Wilson scored the go-ahead run on a throwing error in the fifth inning as the Rochester softball team stayed in contention for the Three Rivers Conference title with a road win over Whitko Monday.

There appeared to be some dispute over how many hits Rensberger allowed.

• GameChanger, a scorekeeping app owned by Dick’s Sporting Goods that is often used to keep stats at the local level nationwide, said that Rensberger pitched a no-hitter.

• Whitko coaches entered on MaxPreps.com after the game that Rensberger pitched a four-hitter. They reported that Taylor Long had two hits, and Cassidy Skinner and Kaylee Adkins had a double and a single, respectively.

• In a text to RTC after the game, Rochester coach Jim Coleman said that Rensberger pitched a two-hitter based on the team’s in-house scorebook. RTC was not present at the game and has traditionally reported what the home team coach reports when it does not attend the game in person.

Regardless, Rochester now has a seven-game winning streak, and Rensberger came through late when she struck out Adkins with runners on second and third to end the game.

“It was really nerve-wracking,” Rensberger said. “They were at the solid part of their lineup. Their 3-4-5 hitters had made contact on me all night, but I really had to place my pitches and really just lock in and focus and make sure I didn’t overstimulate myself. And I had confidence in my defense behind me.”

Rensberger also retired Skinner on a grounder back to the circle with two on to escape a jam in the fifth.

Skinner also struck out 11 while pitching a three-hitter. She marched through the Rochester order through the first four innings, allowing only one baserunner on an error on Aubrey Miller’s fly in the first.

“She is phenomenal,” Rensberger said afterwards of Skinner.

But Mylee Heinzmann walked to lead off the fifth, and Skinner hit Mia Howdeshell with a pitch. Gabby Medina’s sacrifice bunt moved runners to second and third. 

Heinzmann and Howdeshell pulled off a double steal to make it 2-1, but Skinner struck out Darah Strasser for the second out. 

Wilson then broke up Skinner’s no-hit bid with an RBI single to score Howdeshell and tie the game. Wilson then stole second, and when the throw went into center field, Wilson scored all the way from second to give Rochester the lead.

In other TRC action Monday, Southwood defeated host Manchester 7-1 to clinch a share of the conference title. Southwood can clinch it outright with a win at Wabash on Wednesday. If they lose, Rochester can share it with a win at Lewis Cass.

Lewis Cass lost 2-0 to Wabash on Monday. Both Manchester and Lewis Cass were eliminated from the conference title hunt.

Rochester 3, Whitko 2

Rochester 000 030 0 – 3 3 6

Whitko 101 000 0 – 2 2 2

WP – Bria Rensberger (7 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 11 K)

LP – Cassidy Skinner (7 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 11 K)

2B – Gabby Medina (RHS)