Bennington Badgers Softball Navigates Challenging Week, Ends on High Note with Thriller Over Gretna

2–3 minutes

By Marisa Dawson

A female softball player in a striped uniform crouches down to field a yellow softball on a dirt infield.
Sophia Reimer catches a ball thrown to first base.

The Bennington Badgers varsity softball team endured a demanding stretch of three games in six days this past week, dropping a pair of home contests before closing with a dramatic 10-9 road tournament victory over Gretna on Thursday, a rematch from Bennington’s 7-1 loss to them earlier in the season. The 1-2 week left the Badgers at 5-10 overall and provided a much-needed boost after a recent skid.

The week began Saturday, Sept. 5, with a home conference game against Elkhorn. The Antlers controlled the pace early, scoring two runs in the first inning and two more in the third before adding three in the fifth to build a decisive lead. Bennington scratched across single runs in the second, third, and seventh but was hampered by four errors. The Badgers finished with six hits as a team. Emery Schmidt paced the offense with three hits and an RBI. In the circle, Skylar Johnson (pictured below) worked four innings and allowed five earned runs while striking out three. 

A young female softball pitcher in a striped jersey throws a softball from the pitching mound, with a catcher and a field player positioned behind her.

Bennington returned home Tuesday, Sept. 8, to face a hot Wahoo team that entered the non-conference matchup with significant momentum. The Badgers jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning, but the Warriors responded with a run in the second and three more in the fifth to secure a 4-2 victory. Bennington managed just two hits and committed one error. Natalie Thoendel contributed a hit and an RBI, while Taylor Redmond (pictured below) went 1-for-3 with two stolen bases and a run scored. Johnson delivered a solid complete-game effort, tossing six innings and allowing three earned runs (plus one unearned) on six hits with two strikeouts. The loss dropped Bennington to 4-10 at the time and extended a stretch in which the Badgers had dropped seven of their previous eight home games.

A young female softball player in a pinstripe uniform swings a bat at a yellow softball, while teammates and spectators are visible in the background.

The Badgers showed resilience two days later, traveling to face Gretna in Eastern Midlands Conference tournament play on Thursday, Sept. 10. In a high-scoring, back-and-forth contest, Bennington prevailed 10-9. The Badgers erupted for five runs in the second inning, added one in the third, two in the fourth, and two more in the sixth. Gretna answered with runs in each of the first four innings, including a five-run fourth that briefly shifted momentum, but Bennington held firm down the stretch. The Badgers collected nine hits and committed two errors. Aliya Molina delivered a standout performance, going 3-for with five RBIs and three home runs to power the offense. Johnson again took the ball, working four innings with eight strikeouts while allowing seven earned runs.

A softball player in a striped uniform slides into base while another player in blue stands nearby, preparing to catch the ball.
Bella Worth slides into second.

Across the three games, Johnson shouldered a heavy pitching load, logging 14 innings while serving as the primary arm. The offensive outburst in the Gretna win, highlighted by Molina’s power display, stood in contrast to the more limited production in the first two contests. Bennington will look to build on the positive result as it continues tournament play, with a matchup against Gretna East scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 12.

A female softball player in a striped uniform making a diving catch while reaching for a yellow softball in the outfield.
A youth softball catcher in a striped uniform prepares to catch a pitch, while an umpire looks on from behind the plate.
A softball player in a blue jersey runs towards the camera while another player in a white jersey prepares to throw a ball. Two additional players watch from the outfield.
A softball player wearing a striped uniform catches a ball while standing on the field, with a scoreboard and fencing in the background.
A young female softball player swings a bat at a yellow softball while another player in a catcher's gear prepares to receive the pitch.
A female softball player in a striped jersey and blue pants is pitching on the mound, preparing to throw a ball. Another player stands in the background, ready in a fielding position.
A young female softball player in a striped jersey is poised to hit a yellow softball with her bat on a dirt field.
A female softball player wearing a striped uniform swings a bat at a yellow softball on the field.
A young female softball player swinging a bat at a pitch during a game on a sandy field. In the background, coaches and players are visibly engaged in the game.
A young female softball player swings a blue bat to hit a yellow softball, while a catcher in protective gear crouches behind home plate.
Female softball player crouching on the field, preparing to field a ball.
A softball player in a striped uniform is preparing to catch a ball on the field, with a 'SOFTBALL' sign in the background.
A softball player in a striped uniform prepares to catch a ball while another player in a blue uniform slides into base on a dirt field, with a 'SOFTBALL' sign in the background.
A female softball player diving to catch a rolling ball on the field, with another player running in the background.
Two softball players in striped uniforms share a joyful moment on the field, with one holding a glove and the other wearing a catcher's mask.

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