Century split a doubleheader against Winona in Big Nine Conference softball against Winona on Thursday, winning 2-0 before falling 4-3 in the nightcap.
Defense was a difference-maker during the opener.
"Rachel Fink had an outstanding catch in the outfield in the first inning that set the tone for how well our defense played all day," Century coach Chad Buchmann said.
Pitcher Erin Ziebarth did her part for the Panthers. She tossed a three-hit shutout and struck out eight.
Century's offense got started in the second inning, when Abby Kartheiser singled home Emma Kartheiser. "Abby got a great two-out hit to put us in front," Buchmann said. In the third inning, Abby Holets doubled in Frankie Mickelson for Century's second run, and that's all the runs Panthers would need.
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"The whole lineup put the ball in play tonight, and we had timely hitting to score a nice conference win," Buchmann said.
Winona rallied to win the second game 4-3. Century led 3-1 before the Winhawks scored three times in the top of the sixth inning to pin the loss on Grace Henriksen.
"Grace kept the ball down and only gave up six hits," Buchmann said. "Winona just happened to string them all together in the sixth inning and we ran out of outs"
Frankie Mickelson hit a towering two-run homer to left field to put the Panthers up 3-1 in the fifth. Annika Zimmer and Sami Richard were both 2-for-3 for Century.
The Panthers (3-2, 2-2 Big Nine) are at Owatonna on Friday.
Century 2, Winona 0
First game
Winona#000#000#0#—#0#3#1
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Century#011#000##—#2#6#1
Winona: No stats submitted
Century: Frankie Mickelson 2-for-3; Megan Kartheiser 1-for-3; Rachel Fink 1-for-3; Abby Holets 1-for-3; Abby Kartheiser 1-for-3. Pitchers:Erin Ziebarth (WP) 7 IP, 3 H, 8 K.
Winona 4, Century 3
Second game
Winona#001#003#0#—#4#6#1
Century#000#300#0#—#3#7#0
Winona: Katie Block 2-for-3; Selena Lor 1-for-3; Lauryn Hamernik 1-for-3.
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Century: Annika Zimmer 2-for-3; Frankie Mickelson 1-for-1, 1 HR, 2 RBI; Megan Kartheiser 1-for-3; Abbyl Kartheiser 1-for-3; Sami Richard 2-for-3. Pitchers:Grace Henriksen (LP) 7 IP, 4 R, 4 ER, 6 H, 2 K.
