Hoeppner strikes out 14 and Block, Reinardy combine for 7 RBI
NORTH MANKATO, Minn. — A year after finishing runners-up, the Winona Senior High School softball team is a state champion.
Both Katie Block and Rhiannon Reinardy went 3-for-4 and combined for 7 RBI in the 9-2 Class 3A victory over Hermantown at Caswell Park.
It’s the first state championship for the softball team in school history.
Ashton Hoeppner struck out 14, giving up two hits, four walks and two earned runs.
Hoeppner started out a bit shaky, in the bottom of the first, with her team up 1-0.
The senior walked the first batter she faced and then gave up a two-run home run over the fence in right field.
She didn’t waste any time in helping get the Winhawks (24-3) the lead back from Hermantown (21-5).
Hoeppner led off the second inning with a double to left field. That started a three-run rally and Winona never looked back.
The Winhaws scored anotehr run in the sixth and put up four in the seventh just for good measure.
Last season, Winona beat Hermantown 2-0 in the state semifinals, before losing the championship 4-3 to Mankato West.
Hoeppner was on the mound for that game, as well. Mankato West scored the go-ahead run in the fifth inning after a single, error and wild pitch to decide it.