The Patriots are coached again this year by Jody Dickmeyer and Jenna Crawford, who have a combined roster of around 25 girls out with a few more eighth graders than seventh.

Both dates were at home and they also have dates with Aitkin and Staples-Motley snowed out.

They split with the Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines, losing the first (mostly seventh graders) 5-1 and winning the second 15-8.

In the first game, Lindzee Johnson pitched, giving up just four hits and three walks, while striking out nine in the five-inning game; but the Patriots only had three hits and they were by Michele Hayes, Haley Gibbs and Brooke Trottier.

Jamie Sewall was the winning pitcher in the second game, allowing just four hits, walking two and striking out seven.

Megan Hogen had the big hit for the Patriots as she lashed a bases-loaded grand slam home run, while Shelby Holmes, Claire Erholtz, Nicci Headtke, Sewall, Maddie Bajczyk and Gibbs had the other hits.

Patriots beat and tie Rangers

in twin bill

The Patriots won the first game 15-9, but in the second they spotted C-I eight runs on the top of the first and had to battle back and finally had to settle for a 11-11 tie, when they scored four runs in the bottom of the fifth.

In the first game Johnson was the winning pitcher, while giving up six hits, eight walks and striking out.

The Patriots scored three in the first, five in the second and seven in the third.

The big hitters for the Patriots were Haley Gibbs, who had four hits and five RBIs, while Mandy Carlson, Johnson, Jessica Kreitz and Dawn Knutson had the other hits.

The Rangers scored eight in the first and added three in the top of the fifth, while the Patriots got four in the second, two in the third, one in the fourth and four in the fifth to erase a 11-7 C-I lead.

Bajczyk had a home run, Sewall and Trottier doubles and Erholtz, Hogen and Hayes had singles.

Coach Dickmeyer said, "Both Coach Crawford and I think the girls are doing well after not being able to practice outside very much. Both Johnson and Sewall have pitched pretty well for us and we've hit the ball well. They are a good group to work with and are eager to improve so they can play and aren't afraid to listen to us."

Last Friday's game at Wadena was rained out, while on Monday of this week they were to host C-I and travel to Park Rapids on Thursday.