The Gilmour Academy varsity softball team continued its winning ways this past week as the Lancers went a perfect 3-0 in their second week of the campaign.
Similar to their first week of the season, the Lancers won a close game during the middle of the week before sweeping a doubleheader over the weekend with a pair of run-rule wins.
Gilmour never trailed against perennial power Independence in claiming an extra-inning win. The Blue Devils tied the game in the bottom of the seventh, but the Lancers immediately scored two in the eighth inning and held on for a 7-6 win.
"All of our players contributed in that game and came up with big plays at crucial times, whether it was a key hit on offense or a big play on defense," head coach Tony Bondra said. "It was a true team victory in which everyone stepped up in their specific roles to help us achieve a win against a formidable opponent."
Alaina Giampietro '22 led the Gilmour offense against Independence by going 4-for-4 with a double, a home run and a walk. Emmy Klika '21 and Laney Klika '23 each went 2-for-4 with a RBI while the latter also walked once.
Megan Mlinaric '22 went the distance in the circle to get the win as she allowed three earned runs in eight innings of work.
"Megan Mlinaric pitched a heck of a game, showing her maturity as a competitor," Bondra said. "She kept her composure under pressure and got the job done."
After a tight win, the Lancers swept a doubleheader over Division II opponent Kenston High School on the back of an overwhelming offensive onslaught.
Gilmour actually trailed 4-3 after three innings in its opener against Kenston, but the Lancers used a five-run fourth to take the lead before a seven-run sixth inning capped off a 15-5 win. Gilmour hit four home runs in the opening game as part of a 23-hit attack.
Emmy Klika, who was named as an OhioVarsity Athlete of the Week after her opening week of the season, went 3-for-5 with a pair of home runs and four RBI. Clare Peterson '23 was 3-for-5 with her first varsity home run.
Mlinaric starred at the plate and in the circle. She went 3-for-4 with a home run while also allowing zero earned runs in a complete-game effort.
Gilmour rode a combined 17 runs across the third and fourth innings to post a 19-6 win in the nightcap at Kenston.
Madison Minotas '24 and Mlinaric each hit a grand slam in the second game while Laney Klika went 4-for-4 with two doubles, a walk and three RBI.
Peterson earned the win in the second game by allowing one earned run in five innings of work.
"It was another outstanding offensive effort from the entire team with 18 hits that included two grand slams," Bondra said. "To see a grand slam is rare, and to have two in the same game makes it truly special, especially with one of them being the first career varsity home run for Madison Minotas. She is really starting to swing the bat well and hitting is contagious with this team. We are hopeful we can continue to put the bat on the ball the rest of the season and put pressure on our opponents."
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