By Tim “Shoe” Sullivan

Rookie’s Royals (3-0) remained undefeated in the Portage County Women’s Fall League by winning both games of a doubleheader Thursday night at Iverson Park.

In the first game, the Rookie’s Royals softball team defeated Morey’s (0-2), 14-0, and the league leader then blasted Johnny & The Bootleggers, 20-8. The Bootleggers came into the contest with a record of 2-0 and departed with a mark of 2-1.

Morey’s was no match for the Royals as Rookie’s pitcher Beke Blue held the losers to a mere three hits. Singles by Cori Garski, Jean Higdon, and Meg Ziolkowski highlighted Morey’s attack. Rookie’s Royals scored one run in the first, two runs in the second, two in the third, two in the fourth, and seven more in the fifth.

Erin Laffe, the league “Commish”, had a career night at the plate with three doubles and a single in four trips. Birthday girl Becky Kurszewski chipped in three hits, including a homer, and sister Amy Kurszewski tripled and singled twice. Katie Steinbach and Jodi Napiwacki also had two hits each. The Royals had 19 hits during the game.

A small tribute was paid to Eugene Waltenburg, Laura Waltenburg’s dad who was on hand to celebrate his 73rd birthday. Eugene is a “super fan” of the Morey’s squad.

MOREY’S BATTING STATS: Cori Garski: single; Jean Higdon: single; Meg Ziolkowski: single; Cheyanne Zabawa: walk.

ROOKIE’S ROYALS BATTING STATS: Becky Kurszewski (19th birthday): homer, two singles; Katie Steinbach: double, triple, two walks; Amy Kurszewski: triple, two singles; Jacci Seefeldt: single, two walks; Bailey Hinderman: double; Nicole Kirsch: single; Beke Blue: single; Valerie Folan: single, walk; Erin Laffe: three doubles, single; Jodi Napiwacki: two singles.

Rookie’s Royals really came out swinging in their second game as they came up with 28 hits while hammering Johnny & The Bootleggers, 20-8. The losers had 16 hits. A huge ten-run third inning pretty much put the battle of the undefeateds away in Rookie’s favor.

The winners came up with twelve hits in the inning as Amy Kurszewski, Jacci Seefeldt, Bailey Hinderman, and Nicole Kirsch each had two of them. Jodi Napiwacki was a perfect five for five at the plate while Bailey Hinderman and Nicole Kirsch had four hits apiece. Meg Ziolkowski also whacked two doubles. Mak Lee homered and singled for the Bootleggers while Cheyenne Hahn and Chelsey Vidal each singled and doubled.

JOHNNY & THE BOOTLEGGERS BATTING STATS: Hailee Fuller: two singles; Liz Morrison: single, walk; Cheyenne Hahn: double, single; Mak Lee: homer, single; Dana Krug: single; Stacey Zarecki: two singles; Kayla Keepers: single; Kara Sleeter: single; Chelsey Vidal: single, double; Nicole Ihrcke: two singles. ROOKIE’S ROYALS BATTING STATS: Becky Kurszewski: three singles; Katie Steinbach: two singles; Amy Kurszewski: two singles; Jacci Seefeldt: two singles; Bailey Hinderman: four singles; Nicole Kirsch: double, three singles; Beke Blue: walk, single; Erin Laffe: two walks, two singles; Jodi Napiwacki: five singles; Meg Ziolkowski: two doubles, single.

The final game of the evening featured Star Struck (1-1) winning its first game of the year by downing Two Harps (0-2), 17-8. Star Struck came up with 22 hits while Two Harps had 16. Star Struck took a commanding 12-4 lead in the bottom of the second when hits by Sarah Gray, winning pitcher Readie Meyer, Chelsey Zarecki, Brittany Zarecki, Miranda Zarecki, Shae Kellner, Brianna O’Donnell, Karli Homann, Meredith Sikorski, and Stephanie Lynne produced eight runs.

Brittany Zarecki paced the winners with four hits, including a homer, and Chelsey Zarecki and Karli Homann added three hits each. Readie Meyer, Miranda Zarecki, Brianna O’Donnell, Meredith Sikorski, and Sarah Gray contributed two hits apiece. Stacey Kyle led Two Harps with three hits while Toni Gaddo, Alishea Johnson, Kristin DeVogel, Darcie Garcia, and Marissa Schelke add two each. Both teams showed great improvement from the previous week, and a fine crowd was on hand to take in the action.

TWO HARPS BATTING STATS: Brooke Sprecher: single; Toni Gaddo: two singles; Kayla Perez: single; Alishea Johnson: two singles; Wendy Johnston: single; Kristin DeVogel: two singles; Darcie Garcia: two singles; Stacey Kyle: three singles; Marissa Schelke: two singles.

STAR STRUCK BATTING STATS: Readie Meyer: two singles (figured out how to put on the face mask); winning pitcher; Chelsey Zarecki: two singles, double; Kaitlyn Knutson: two walks; Brittany Zarecki: homer, three singles; Miranda Zarecki: two singles; Shae Kellner: walk, single, had batting tip from Logan Marcell); Brianna O’Donnell: two singles; Karli Homann: double, two singles; Meredith Sikorski: two singles; Stephanie Lynne: single; Sarah Gray: two singles.

NOTE: Outstanding local outfielder Pierre Stanford was an onlooker in the stands and dropped two foul balls.