The #9 Golden Rams hit the road on Tuesday, traveling to play their first road game in almost a week and a half. Anoka-Ramsey traveled to Willmar, MN to take on Ridgewater, and were able to come away with a 2-0 sweep, as they defeated Ridgewater with ease. The Golden Rams have now won nine games in a row, since losing the first game in a doubleheader against St. Cloud CTC.
The Golden Rams, prone to some rough starts lately, were able to flip the script this time around. They started quickly, leading 5-0 after the first two innings. Christina Meyer was able to get the energy started early with an inside the park HR. Anoka-Ramsey never looked back, defeating Ridgewater via the run rule in game one. Molly Gross was extremely effective as the starting pitcher, recording ten strikeouts while allowing just five hits. With the win, she is now 9-3 on the season. At the plate, Emma Bright was 4-4 with an inside the park HR and three stolen bases. Mariss Kerry was 2-3 with a double, and Molly Gross, who also picked up the win pitching, was 2-3 with two RBIs. The Golden Rams cruised to a relatively easy 10-1 victory in five innings.
In the second game, Anoka-Ramsey started even quicker, as they led 10-0 after two innings, and 16-0 after three innings of play. Ridgewater seemed out of gas, unable to respond after the Golden Rams second quick start in a row. The Golden Rams got a spectacular pitching performance from Lyla Galli, who struck out four while allowing three hits. However, she was able to generate a lot of quick outs and didn't allow many base runners, ultimately recording the shutout and picking up the win. Lyla Galli is now 6-4 on the year after the win. The Golden Rams got contributions up and down the lineup in game two, as pretty much the entire team got at least one hit. Sunny Strait was 3-3 with a monster HR and five RBIs. Lyla Galli, who picked up the win pitching, was 3-3 with a blast. Brooke Beberg was 4-5 with a double and five RBIs. McKenna Packard was also 2-4 with a double, triple, and 5 RBIs. The Golden Rams offense proved to be far too much for Ridgewater, as they defeated them 25-0 in five innings in game two.
Anoka-Ramsey played extremely well on both sides of the ball today, as they outscored Ridgewater 35-1 on the day. With the sweep, the Golden Rams improved to 21-10 on the season. Head Coach Dave Alto noted that his team "pitched and hit well, and played good defense." He said that it was "fun watching these ladies play at [such a] high-level today." The Golden Rams are set for a weekend full of softball, pending any weather. They will take on Riverland at home in a doubleheader on Friday, with first pitch set for 3PM, and Rochester at home in a doubleheader on Saturday, with first pitch set for noon.
-Story written by Nick Balmanno, Athletics Intern