Softball blanks Como in home opener

• Deven DuCharme hits a bases-loaded double

Hudson’s Deven DuCharme hits a bases-loaded double off the fence in left-center field to drive in three runs and give the Raiders a 5-0 lead in their home opener against St. Paul Como Park last Thursday at Grandview Park. Hudson went on to a 6-0 victory. Photo by Bob Burrows

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Deven DuCharme hit a bases-clearing double to highlight a five-run second inning and Alex Johnson and Lexi Smith combined on a five-hitter to lead the Raider softball team to a 6-0 victory over St. Paul Como Park in its home opener last Thursday, April 14 at Grandview Park.

The Raiders improved to 2-0 with the victory and will open Big Rivers Conference play with a doubleheader against Menomonie (2-1) this Thursday, April 21, beginning at 4 p.m.

Last Thursday against Como Park, the Raiders took a 2-0 lead in the second when Smith singled and Monica Hendricks and Sydney Berger followed with walks to load the bases. Shelby Berger drew a two-out walk to force in the first run of the game and Kindra Witthus followed with a walk to make the score 2-0.

DuCharme followed with a drive that one-hopped the fence in left-center field to score Sydney Berger, Shelby Berger and Witthus and give the Raiders a 5-0 lead. DuCharme was thrown out at third trying to stretch the hit into a triple for the final out of the inning.

Johnson meanwhile didn’t allow a runner past second base while giving up just two hits and striking out two over the first four innings. Smith took over in the fifth and allowed three hits but didn’t let a Como runner get past first base.

Hudson made the final 6-0 with a run in the seventh when Sydney Berger singled, stole second and eventually scored on an error.

DuCharme led the Raiders at the plate with two hits, including a three-run double. Shelby Berger doubled, walked, drove in a run and stole one base while Sydney Berger had a hit, walk, two run scored and two stolen bases. Johnson and Smith helped their own causes with a single apiece. While Witthus walked three times, drove in a run and scored a run.

Tags: sports, softball, raiders, prep