That was close! Trojans beat SW in eight innings

By Dorothy Huber/Tribune

Kristin Milbrandt (far right) doesn’t look like she just hit a home run to win the game, but the Trojan players, which include, from left, Allie Novotny, Meagan Novotny, Megan Lukes and Haley Kriener, are concerned about the injury to the outfielder that tried to snare the ball.

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By Dorothy Huber

New Hampton Tribune

Mon Jul 07, 2008, 11:28 AM CDT

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Jackson Junction -

    A walk-off home run by Kristin Milbrandt took the Turkey Valley softball team past South Winn in the first round of the regional tournament held at Jackson Junction Thursday. The big hit came in the eighth inning and gave the Trojans a 5-3 win.
    Milbrandt also laced a double to bat in the tying run in the sixth. “We dodged a bullet tonight,” noted coach Randy Novotny. “Our kids dug deep and came up with the hits they needed in the clutch. Kristin is making a habit of coming up with big hits, but none were bigger than the double to tie and the homer to win it tonight.”
    South Winn had a 3-0 lead after three innings. In the bottom of the fourth Haley Kriener singled and was sacrificed to second by Samantha Shimak. She took third on a passed ball and scored on a ground out by Madison McKone.
    In the sixth frame Kriener singled again, took second on a passed ball and scored on a single by McKone. Milbrandt then knocked in McKone with the double.
    South Winn came very close to scoring in the seventh. They had the bases loaded with one out, but one batter stepped out of the box for out #2, then a fly ball to Megan Lukes at short retired the side.
    In the eighth McKone was on base with on fielder’s choice when Milbrandt just cleared the fence with the homer. The South Winn outfielder made a valiant effort on the play and was shaken up, but was able to walk off the field.
    “Give South Winn a lot of credit, they battled early and were able to force us into some mistakes and gain the three-run lead. I give Jenny Kriener (pitcher for the Warriors) a lot of credit for the character she has always exemplified in some tough losses to Turkey Valley.”
    The Trojans ended with eight hits, Milbrandt was 3 for 4 with three RBI, Kriener was 2 for 4 with two runs scored and McKone was 1 for 4 with two RBI and runs scored. Shimak and Lukes each singled for the remaining hits.
    Meagan Novotny struck out 10, all of the Warrior runs were unearned. Novotny allowed four hits, there were two Trojan errors. After the win the Trojans were 35-3.