Sigourney Softball Celebrates Seniors with Victory of Pekin

SIGOURNEY—The Sigourney Savages hosted the Pekin Panthers on June 27 for a non conference matchup. The Savages quickly defeated the Panthers by a final score of 16-0.

Before the game, the Savages celebrated the careers of seniors Ryleigh VanDenHueval, Rain Barhtelman, Courtney Hemsley and Macy Fisch.

After the game VanDenHueval described the experience with, “To get to play in the last regular season game felt pretty good.” 

Barthelman also noted that, “It was fun. Everyone was super hyper in the dugout, and had fun the whole time, even though it was a fast paced game that was over quick.” She went on to describe the vibe within the dugout as, “We try to keep it like that for every game, so we are pretty used to it by now.” 

Hemsley reflected on the ceremony with, “I thought it was a lot of fun. Definitely coming out with senior night was really good. Everyone was amped up.” She went on to elaborate on the fun with, “I think we have a really close knit team, and we are all really put together. No one is ever down on each other, or anything like that.” 

Lastly, Fisch described her experience with, “I thought it was very fun. Everyone was super energetic. We had fun, and played very well as a team.” She went on to describe the energy the team has with, “We keep everything light hearted, so it’s fun to play, and we all stay together that way.”

When asked if the ultimate goal is to make it to Fort Dodge, all fours simultaneously exclaimed, “Yes!”

Sigourney Head Coach Shelly Striegle spoke on what these seniors have meant to the program with, “These seniors have been with us through the ups and downs.  Making the state tournament, and then losing in the regional finals to the eventual champion. They have been through all the emotions and the gambit of this. They’re commitment and dedication to this team, and how they practice hasn’t changed one iota, whether it’s a good day or bad day. They come here and set a standard of how we are gonna practice, what we are gonna do and what is expected of them everyday. That has been a joy for them to be a part of.” 

The scoring started in the first inning, when Kezni VanDenHueval stepped up to the plate with two runners on and two outs. VanDenHueval ripped a double into left center field that brought home both the runners. She went on to tally six more RBIs, in total she had eighth RBIs for the Savages on the day. VanDenHueval spoke on the big night at the plate with, “It feels amazing. My team is doing it too. We are all rallying together. It’s amazing just going up there with no pressure, and hitting the ball.”

VanDenHueval is a freshman who has stepped up to take over the role of shorthstop after Madi Richards graduated. She spoke on the mentality she’s had that has led to success throughout the season with, “It’s come a long way. Learning a new position at the beginning of the season first off. Coming back, and taking an amazing person's spot. I knew I had to be a leader, and do my job in the field.”

Lastly VanDenHueval has a signature celebration after successfully getting on base. Her signature move is a smoking gun celebration, where she blows the smoke off the guns she makes with her hands. VanDenHueval described the reasoning for the specific celebration with, “My favorite show is Yellowstone.”

Four other Savages also tallied an RBI on the day: Carly Goodwin, Josephine Moore, Courtney Hemsely and Macy Fisch.

Carly Goodwin got the start from the bump, and finished with another three inning perfect game that included striking out seven of the 10 opposing batters. Goodwin wraps up her season with 252 strikeouts, which is the second most in the state of Iowa. She also currently holds the lowest earned run average in the state of Iowa at 0.27 earned runs given up per game. After the game Goodwin spoke on holding these accolades with, “It feels good, but I have to give a lot of props to my teammates. I couldn’t do it without them. They have my back, and cheer me on in the field. I know that’s one thing I can do for them (strikeout opponents), and they can get hits for me. It is a whole team atmosphere.”

Pekin Head Coach Ashlyn Carrasco spoke on playing a top ten team in Class 1A with, “We came in knowing that they were going to hit the ball. We came in knowing that Carly (Goodwin) was going to do her best. I told the girls that I wanted them to be selectful. I wanted them hitting the ball at their strikes. Reading different pitches, and seeing different pitchers. We have good pitchers in our conference, but nothing like Carly. It was great seeing this going into our district playoff game.”

Coach Carrasco went on to emphasize that she is reminding her team to have fun in the first round of the playoff. In her words, “I want them to have fun. I want them to leave it all out on the field.”

The Savages wrap up their season with a record of 22-4. They hold the top seed in the Class 1A-Region 8 bracket, so they will wait to host the winner of the Holy Trinity Catholic Crusaders and New London Tigers matchup on July 9 at 7pm at Schafer Field. 

The Panthers fall to 0-19 on the season. They will return to action for the first round of the Class 2A-Region 7 bracket, when they match up against the Tipton Tigers.