By Karalee Kothe

The Lady Reds destroyed the Greeley Central Wildcats 16-0 at the home conference game on Oct. 1. Rachel Graham (17) pitched a perfect game because she did not allow any runs nor any Wildcats on base. Coach Chad Shaw said, “Rachel had a great game. It was a special day, obviously because she threw a perfect game.” Eaton ended the first inning 3-0 and then carried the energy on to the second inning for a nine-run rally, totaling the score at 12-0 early on in the game.

Throughout the third and fourth innings, the Reds tacked on four more runs for a whopping total of 16 while the Wildcats’ still did not get on the board. Shaw said the number one factor in the Reds’ offensive success was “we were able to go up to the plate with discipline, put the ball in play when we were given pitches to hit, and draw walks when we weren’t. The most important part of softball is to get runners on base because runners score runs.”

Defensively, the Reds’ outfielders helped keep runners off the bases. Brooke Knutson (17) caught a deep fly ball that had the potential to be a home run and Kaci Jurgensmeier (16) stopped a line drive in right field and threw it into first base for an out instead of a base-hit. Jurgensmeier said Shaw gave them an “inspirational speech” before the game about not being complacent and never settling.

She said, “As the ball was coming towards me, I didn’t want settle for a base hit, so I threw the ball to first and we got her out. I think that was a really good symbolism for not being complacent with one play.” The Reds overall record now stands at 12-3 with a league record of 8-3. Eaton will head to Sterling Oct. 3 at 11 a.m.