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| Maddie Muelken picked up two pitching wins (photo by Jim Lindquist) |
The Tigers banged out 14 hits, including a couple of long home runs, in an opening game 10-3 win and then scored all of their runs in the first three innings of a 5-3 triumph in the nightcap.
"It was a big day for us," Tiger coach Paul Harrington said "We swept them on their home field, which is never easy to do".
"They (Red Wing) are a much improved team over the last two years. Their
pitcher keeps coming at you and they have some very good hitters. If
they shore up their defense a bit, they will be a tough team in our section
playoffs."
The opener was decided in the top of the first inning when the visitors reeled off five straight hits, including a two-run homer by Amber Doyle, to score four runs.
Starting pitcher Maddie Muelken and lead-off hitter Carly Esselman each collected three hits to pace the Tiger offense. Esselman had a double and her first varsity homer and also scored three runs. Doyle, Ashley Ibinger and Jordyn Keprios each had two hits for the winners.
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| Jordyn Keprios 2-3, 2B, RBI in the opener (photo by Jim Lindquist) |
"We had our hitting shoes on the first game" Harrington said. "Once we got the lead they couldn't catch us."
Muelken picked up the pitching victory, working the first six innings and striking out eight. Meghan Silber came on in the seventh and threw an inning of scoreless relief.
The Tigers scored all five of their runs in the first three innings of the second game to build a 5-1 lead and then squelched a couple of attempted Winger comebacks with some fine defensive play to complete the sweep.
Esselman and Ibinger accounted for most of the offense with a pair of hits apiece. Each rapped a double with Ibinger knocking in a run and Esselman scoring twice.
The Tiger defense turned double plays in the third and sixth innings to snuff out rallies by the Wingers.
Muelken picked up her second pitching win of the day, scattering seven hits and striking out four.
The sweep raised Farmington's season record to 8-4; 6-2 in Missota Conference play.
The Tigers travel to Chanhassen Thursday afternoon for a Missota match-up with the Storm. Saturday they head to Shakopee for a matinee encounter with the Sabers.
