ELKHART – Wawasee powered its way to a Northern Lakes Conference softball victory Friday at Elkhart Memorial’s Charger Field. Senior Danielle Gunkel and junior Hanna Haines belted home runs for the Lady Warriors (16-3, 8-1) in a 14-0, five-inning triumph over the Crimson Chargers (5-13, 4-5). Gunkel smacked a solo shot to left-center field to lead off the fourth inning. Haines smacked a two-run home to center in the second inning. Wawasee collected 16 hits, including seven during an eight-run uprising that saw the NLC leaders send 13 batters to the plate in the fourth inning. The Lady Warriors pounded out five more hits in a four-run fifth inning. “Our bats are on fire right now,” Wawasee coach Jared Knipper said. “We’re murdering the ball. “It feels like there’s something special starting to happen. I just hope it continues. “It’s a fun thing. I’m a spectator right now. I point home and I give some high-fives.” Gunkel finished with three hits and three runs batted in while scoring two runs. Senior Allissa Flores also plated three runs and scored twice. On top of all that offensive production, Wawasee junior right-hander Meghan Fretz pitched a one-hitter with 10 strikeouts and two walks. “We’re still doing the things we need to do everywhere on the field, not just with the bats,” Knipper said. “Fretz is pitching the best she’s pitched for us to date.” Memorial’s lone hit was a single to center by senior Shakira Perez in the fourth inning. But the Chargers left runners at second and third as the rally died. Senior right-hander Dani Dees (4 1/3 innings, 14 runs, 16 hits, 0 strikeouts, 1 walk) absorbed the loss for the Chargers. She was relieved by senior left-hander Kim Lucas (2/3 innings, 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 strikeouts, 1 walk). Wawasee plays in the Eastside Classic today.
WAWASEE 14, ELKHART MEMORIAL 0 Waw 020 84 14 16 0 Mem 000 00 0 1 3 Wawasee – Meghan Fretz (W); Memorial – Dani Dees (L), Kim Lucas (5). 2B: Fretz (W). HR: Gunkel (W), Hanna Haines (W). Records: Wawasee 16-3 (8-1 NLC), Memorial 5-13 (4-5 NLC). JV – Wawasee 14, Memorial 3 (6 inn)
