St. Mary's downs Hinton 4-1 in WEC action

(Sentinel photo by Roy Tucker) RSM's Jennifer Feller throws to first to record an out during the Hawks' 4-1 win over Hinton on Tuesday. [Click to enlarge]

Slowly but surely the Remsen St. Mary's Hawks are growing confidence in War Eagle Conference play and that confidence is translating into wins.

The Hawks won their second straight WEC game Tuesday by defeating Hinton 4-1. RSM bested Spalding Catholic 5-2 Monday in Remsen.

The visiting Blackhawks got on the board first with one run in the fourth.

(Sentinel photo by Roy Tucker) Hinton's Shannon Miller catches a fly ball during the Blackhawks' game with RSM on Tuesday in Remsen. [Click to enlarge]

Kelsey Anfinson doubled and then advanced to third on a ground out. She scored on a fielder's choice by Kelci Teut to give Hinton a 1-0 lead.

But that was nearly all the offense the Blackhawks could muster.

"They came back and scored three on us right away," Hinton coach Phil Skamser said.

The Hawks tallied three runs in the frame to take a 3-1 lead. RSM added a security run in the fifth to give the contest its final score at 4-1.

"We had some opportunities early," Skamser said. "We just couldn't put the ball in play enough to score more runs."

RSM starter Jennifer Feller fanned eight and walked two in the win.

The Hawks' offense backed her up by scattering four hits in the contest.

Emma Krier, Sadie Lewis and Mercedees Ricke each singled in the win while Kristin Loutsch ripped a double. Lewis, Ricke, Feller and Loutsch each tallied an RBI.

"We were pretty efficient when we got people on base," RSM coach Brad Gralheer said. "It wasn't anything spectacular, but it was a pretty good win."

In addition to four hits, the Hawks took advantage of four walks from Hinton starter Shawnee Miller.

The sophomore pitcher fanned five in the loss.

"I thought defensively and pitching-wise we did okay," Skamser said.

The two teams will face off again next week as Tuesday's contest was a makeup game from earlier in the season.

"We're definitely struggling with confidence and those types of things," Skamser said. "We just have to keep plugging away and try to find a way."

Hinton (12-14, 6-10) hosts West Sioux in league action on Wednesday.

Gralheer and the Hawks (16-13, 4-10) look to continue their recent WEC success with a contest against Gehlen Catholic in Le Mars on Wednesday.