Northwood knocks off Solon Springs

The Northwood Evergreens didn’t let a season-ending injury to a key player stop them from taking another step in the WIAA softball tournament Tuesday afternoon as Northwood handed the Solon Springs Eagles 14-0 defeat in five innings.

The Evergreens lost junior catcher Lisa Featherly on Thursday when she suffered a broken leg at home plate.

“Lisa had been having a very solid season,” said Beth Block, Northwood head coach. “We’ll miss her in the tournament.”

The Evergreens jumped on the board in the first inning when senior Annie Block hit a RBI single. Northwood added another run in the second inning, three in the third and nine more in the fourth inning to take the 14-0 victory.

Northwood’s Teagen Harings picked up another pitching win to move to 12-5 on the season. She struck out nine of the 17 batters she faced and gave up only two hits.

Marisa Blegen, a senior, had a big night at the plate for Northwood and also strapped on the shin guards to fill in at catcher for the Evergreens.

“She played great tonight — going 2-for-3 with two RBIs — and worked hard behind the plate,” Block said.

Ashley Block and Harings also both went 2-for-3 for the Evergreens.

Solon Springs’ Valerie Garay took the loss for the Eagles, and Vanessa Zeman came in to finish the fourth inning.

Northwood next hosts Drummond at Minong Thursday. Drummond advanced with a 17-2 victory over Mellen in five innings Tuesday.

Tags: douglas county, sports, wisconsin, softball, preps