The #9 Golden Rams returned home on Friday, to play Riverland in a doubleheader. It was the Golden Rams first time playing the Blue Devils of Riverland this year, and on a cloudy, drizzly Friday, Anoka-Ramsey blew past Riverland, recording a 2-0 sweep. The Golden Rams have now won eleven straight, and will look to keep their streak going on Monday.
Anoka-Ramsey picked up right where they left off on Tuesday, continuing the trend of scoring early and often in the first game. By the end of the 2nd inning, the Golden Rams were already leading by a score of 18-0. Molly Gross worked quickly as the starting pitcher, striking out eight while allowing just four hits, ultimately recording a shutout. With the win, Molly Gross moves to 10-3 on the year. The Golden Rams also stayed hot at the plate, as they combined for twenty hits as a team. Hailey Babcock was outstanding, going 5-5, including a triple and three RBIs. Marissa Kerry was 3-5 with a HR and five RBIs. Both Emma Bright and Lyla Galli were 3-3. The Golden Rams hot bats and quick, efficient pitching led to an easy 22-0 shutout in five innings.
The second game was much of the same, as Anoka-Ramsey piled on seventeen runs in the first two innings. Starting pitcher Sunny Strait was extremely effective as she struck out four while allowing four hits. She got the shutout, and with the win, improves to 7-3 on the year. The Golden Rams continued their domination at the plate, piling on a total of 17 runs and 17 team hits. Hailey Babcock stayed hot, going 2-3 with a homer and four RBIs. Lyla Galli stayed perfect on the day, going 3-3 with a double, home run, and 2RBIs. Sunny Strait was 2-3 with two doubles and four RBIs. The Golden Rams easily won game two, defeating the Blue Devils 17-0 in five innings via the run rule.
Despite the poor weather, the Golden Rams played extremely well both from the plate and in the field, outscoring Riverland 39-0 over two games while getting two shutouts from their defense. Head Coach Dave Alto was impressed with his team's effort, saying that he was "very proud" with how the team played on Friday, and that it was "so fun to see [the team] play for each other and have so much fun playing Golden Ram softball." With the two wins, the Golden Rams improved to 23-10 on the season, and into sole possession of first place in the MCAC South after St. Cloud CTC lost one of their games on Saturday.
Anoka-Ramsey is next in action on Monday, May 2nd, as they host Rochester Community and Technical College for the final meetings of the season between the two clubs. It will be a busy week, as the Golden Rams are scheduled to play a doubleheader on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
-Story written by Nick Balmanno, Athletics Intern