Rapid City Stevens made a powerful statement on the diamond Friday, storming past Mitchell 17-4 in a five-inning run-rule victory at McWhirter Field. The Raiders wasted no time setting the tone, exploding for six runs in the top of the first inning and never looking back.
The offensive fireworks started early, with Audrinna Colhoff delivering a clutch two-RBI single and Joslyn Thompson adding a pair of runs of her own in the opening frame. That quick burst gave Stevens a commanding lead before Mitchell even had a chance to settle in.
The Kernels showed some fight in the bottom of the first, as Brooklyn Schlimgen ripped a two-RBI triple that brought home Emma Hegg and Mallory Miedema, cutting the deficit to 6-2. But the momentum was short-lived. Stevens answered with three more runs in the second and two in the third, stretching the lead to 11-2 and putting the game firmly out of reach.
The Raiders put the exclamation point on the win in the fifth inning, scoring six runs on five hits to push the margin wide enough to trigger the run rule. Mitchell managed one final highlight when Miedema stole home in the bottom of the fifth, but it was too little, too late.
Stevens dominated in nearly every facet of the game, outhitting Mitchell 14-3 and capitalizing on four Kernels errors. Colhoff was unstoppable at the plate, going a perfect 4-for-4 with four RBIs. Thompson also shined, finishing 2-for-4 with three RBIs, while Kara Cox added two hits and an RBI. In the circle, Kara Collins earned the win, allowing just one earned run over five innings while striking out six.
For Mitchell, Schlimgen led the way offensively, going 1-for-3 with two RBIs. Miedema and Delaney Linke each recorded a hit, but the Kernels couldn't overcome their defensive struggles. Rylee Jennings took the loss, allowing 11 runs (five earned) over four innings with three strikeouts.
The win improves Stevens to a perfect 6-0 on the season, and the Raiders are proving to be an offensive juggernaut, averaging 14 runs per game and scoring in double figures in five of six contests. Mitchell (1-10) will look to bounce back Saturday with a doubleheader at McWhirter Field, facing Sturgis at 10:30 a.m. and Spearfish at 2 p.m.