KoMets open title defense with victory over Northfield

The Kasson-Mantorville softball team opened up their season with a 7-1 victory over Northfield on Monday afternoon as they look to defend their back-to-back state championships. To pick up the victory, the KoMets used the familiar formula of strong pitching and a balanced attack throughout the lineup.

The game opened slowly as K-M couldn’t seem to find their footing at the plate in the first couple innings. However, one of the strong suits for the KoMets has been their pitching as Chante Thome had a stellar opener to her season with nine strikeouts on the afternoon and no earned runs.

Once the KoMets got going offensively, the Raiders seemed to be doomed. MiKayla Grant, McKenzie Hemann, Kendra Powers and Maddie Bigelow all had two hits for K-M as Hemann and Grant also recorded a double with a pair of RBIs.

“We have a lot of experience and we look to have quality at-bats,” K-M softball coach Paul Mann said of his lineup. “We just have to be patient hitters the first time through the order and play loose and confident. We also need to work on the things that we can control.”

While the win brought the KoMets to 1-0 on the young season, it also gave Mann his first win as softball coach. However, he was quick to defer credit to a team that has plenty of potential.

“It was nice to get the win, but I’m more pleased and relieved that the girls opened the season with a victory,” Mann explained. “They are the ones putting in the work and playing in the games. Our plan is to be in position to win our last game of the year and this is just one step toward our goal.