Sports : Vikettes 2nd at North Butler Invitational

“We came into this hoping to get second and that’s what we got.”

Those were the words of Vinton-Shellsburg head girls’ softball coach Bari Parrott after the Vikettes (11-10 for the year) grabbed the runner-up finish Saturday at the North Butler Invitational at Allison.

The Vikettes scrambled to a 6-1 in over Janesville in the first round, then added a 5-0 shutout of Lake Mills in the second to advance to the title game against the host – and 4th-rated team in Class 1A – Bearcats.

Maddie Cornell picked up the victory in the opener against Janesville, then Lindsey Noren threw a complete-game one-hitter at Lake Mills in the semis.

The title game was scoreless through five innings, but North Butler eked out a run in the top of the sixth, then picked up a second (unearned) marker in the seventh to go up 2-0. The Vikettes scored a run in the seventh and had the tying and winning runs in scoring position with one out, but a game-ending double play killed the rally and V-S settled for the silver.

“We did not hit the ball well,” said Parrott. “We only had two hits against Lake Mills and while we won, we need to hit the ball better than that.

“I was pleased with our pitching,” he added. “We only gave up two earned runs all day.”

Monday starts a big week for the Vikettes. They are on the road tonight as they visit an up-and-down Independence team at 6 p.m. After a night off for the varsity Tuesday, the Vikettes have a two-night homestand Wednesday and Thursday. Eighth-rated Maquoketa pays a call on Thole Field Wednesday, while Iowa Valley comes in Thursday. Both contests are 6 p.m. JV/varsity tilts.

Friday, the Vikettes take the short to trip to Benton Community for a non-conference JV/varsity with the Bobcats, then head to Urbandale Saturday for a pair of games in the Urbandale Classic. V-S takes on Creston at 11 a.m. and then faces 14th-rated Winterset at 3 p.m.