HARRISBURG, S.D. — Jayci Olson went 3-for-4 with five RBIs to lead Harrisburg past Watertown 11-1 in the Class AA SoDak 16 softball tournament Tuesday, ending the Arrows’ season.
Peyton LaFramboise added a 2-for-4 performance with two RBIs for the Tigers, while Elyse Gross also collected two hits. Harrisburg pitcher Kylie Visker earned the win, allowing just one run on five hits over five innings.
Lauryn Hirsch prevented the shutout for Watertown, hitting a solo home run in the final at-bat of her high school career. Logan Schell, Emmy Berglund, and Maddie Carter each contributed a hit for the Arrows.
Hirsch also pitched 4 2/3 innings for Watertown, allowing 11 runs on 10 hits. Watertown coach Kelli Brinka praised her starter’s performance in the circle.
“Lauryn pitched an incredible game,” Brinka said. “She kept everything low and gave us a lot of easy pop flies and grounders. We just couldn’t back her up defensively the way she deserved.”
Watertown finishes the season with a 3-15 record, but Brinka noted the team’s progress extends far beyond the win-loss column.
“It’s not how we wanted the season to end but when I look back at how far this group has come, there is so much to be proud of,” Brinka said. “From day one, the focus was effort, growth, and being great teammates and people, and they showed up for that each day.”
The Arrows graduate three seniors: Hirsch, Kodi Lund, and Dayna Garvey.
“We’re going to miss our seniors deeply but I’m grateful for the mark they have left on this program and the example they set for those coming next,” Brinka said.
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