Hovden Tosses Gem as Owatonna Softball Wins 1-0

Huskies' freshman pitcher Parris Hovden threw a one-hit gem in Owatonna's 1-0 win over Rochester Mayo Thursday at Morehouse Park. She also had two hits and drove in the game's lone run. Hovden struck out eight and walked just one. It was the Huskies' second win in a three-games-in-three-days span.

Coach Jeremy Moran said, "Parris Hovden was outstanding in the circle tonight. She pitched with a lot of heart and threw a complete game shut out." Hovden also threw a complete game on Tuesday in Owatonna's 7-4 victory at Austin, striking out ten.

Moran also said the team rebounded defensively, "After our worst defensive game (Wednesday) at Century, we came out today and played our best defensive game. The players were dialed in during warms and that focus carried over into the game."

He indicated, "Tremendous team defense today led by Ana LaDuke (short stop), Mia Hiber (center field) and Anna Vetsch who is playing a new position (first base)." Vetsch had two hits. McKenna Schroht had the other OHS hit, plus a base of balls, and scored the only run of the contest.

Moran added, "The players really fed off the energy of the great crowd that was on hand for kid's day." Owatonna (3-6, 2-3 Big Nine) hosts Mankato East in a 4 pm double header Monday, April 29 at Morehouse Park.

Other Owatonna results from Thursday included a boys lacrosse 19-6 win over Century. Tommy Wall and Mason Oland each netted three goals. The OHS girls lacrosse squad won at Century 8-3. Huskies' boys golf lost at Albert Lea 359-347. Owatonna boys tennis swept Red Wing 7-0 and the baseball team lost 12-8 at Mayo despite a grand slam from Zach Wiese and a a triple play after a spectacular sliding catch by Isaac Gefre.