Sean Williams/MDN Kate Zimmer (8) of the Renville County Mavericks standing at the plate during the 2023 NDHSAA Class B Softball State Tournament on Thursday at South Hill Softball Complex.

The Renville County Mavericks and the Thompson Tommies softball teams were able to kick things off in the 2023 NDHSAA Class B Softball State Tournament, as the two took the field at South Hill Softball Complex for the first of a four-game slate on Thursday.

Both teams are familiar with the big stage, as they have each been to state in consecutive years but are both still searching for that first state title in program history. A win on Thursday gives them a chance to get closer to that goal.

During the regular season, the Tommies were one of the few teams that gave the Mavericks a tough time, as the Mavericks walked away with a one-run victory at 12-11.

On Thursday, the Tommies gave the Mavericks an even tougher time, as they knocked the Mavericks into the consolation bracket of the state tournament with an 8-1 win.

With two outs in the top of the first, Thompson was able to rally and got things started by consecutive walks and a hit by pitch. Setting up a bases loaded, two-out situation, Kya Hurst put the Tommies up 3-0 after a bases-clearing double.

Typically, more than three runs are needed to take down a team like the Mavericks. However, Thompson’s starting pitcher Sydney Schwabe and the Tommies’ defense kept the Mavericks quiet for most of the afternoon, as the three runs they scored early proved to be more than enough in this one.

Hoping to get momentum back on their side, the Mavericks were only able to string together an Ellie Braaten walk before Thompson extended their lead in the fourth inning.

A walk by Hurst and a double by Kjersten Lopez gave the Tommies runners on second and third with no outs in the fourth. A fielder’s choice, then a double by Schwabe made it a 6-0 Tommies’ advantage. A groundout from Olivia Dick and Dru Schwab scoring on a passed ball made it an 8-0 game and gave the Tommies their run total for the day.

In the bottom half of the fourth, the Mavericks were able to breakthrough for a rally of their own as they refused to stay silent. Setting the table for their rally was a single by Addison Mach, a walk from Braaten and a single from Ginger Savelkoul. After Mach was thrown out trying to steal second, Marleigh Henry walked to load the bases with one out.

Stepping up and delivering when the team needed it was Kate Zimmer, who picked up a sacrifice fly to make it an 8-1 game. The sacrifice fly by Zimmer is all the Mavericks were able to put together, as that brought the game to its final score of 8-1 with Thompson advancing to the semifinals of the state tournament.

At the plate, the Mavericks were led by Taya Aufforth who went 2-for-3, followed by Mach and Savelkoul who had one hit each, and Zimmer who went 0-for-1 with a walk and an RBI.

Savelkoul started on the mound and went the full seven innings, allowing eight runs (seven earned) on three hits with six walks and 12 strikeouts.

Hurst led the way for Thompson, going 1-for-3 with a double and three RBI, followed by Schwabe who went 1-for-4 with a double and two RBI, and Dick who went 0-for-2 with two walks and an RBI.

Schwabe picked up the win on the mound, going all seven innings while allowing one run on four hits with five walks and three strikeouts.

With the win, the Tommies advance and will face the Kindred-Richland Vikings at 4 p.m. this afternoon in the semifinals. The Mavericks will face the Central McLean Cougars at 11 a.m. this morning.

The loss by the Mavericks was their first of the season, and even though it came at a tough time during the first round of the state tournament, the team still has a chance to finish strong in what was an excellent season.