Vermilion nabs first victories

The Vermilion Ironhawks got in to the victory column in softball with a pair of wins last Saturday.

One came by forfeit when Hibbing didn’t field enough players for the start of a Northern Division twinbill at Aurora, but the Ironhawks earned their win later in the day, blasting the Cardinals 22-1 in five innings.

The Ironhawks nearly got another ‘W’ on Wednesday, falling short 9-8 at Mesabi in the second game of a twinbill. The Norse won the opener 8-0.

After struggling against higher-caliber competition, the wins in division play were welcomed by the Ironhawks.

Vermilion pounded out 21 hits against Hibbing, with Josie Anderson going threefor- four with a double, four runs scored and five runs batted in.

Anderson, who hails from Hermantown, helped spark an 11-run first inning as Vermilion put the game away early.

Vermilion’s Avery Thiel went four-for-four at the plate and drove in three runs, while Hannah Simchak ripped four hits including a triple with three runs scored ahtre three RBI.

Libby Korpi, Tatiana Whiting, Makenzie Drache and Lily Luzovich all finished with two hits.

From the pitching circle, Anderson was backed by strong defense. She tossed a two-hitter with four strikeouts.

Vermilion was no match for Mesabi pitcher Hailey Greenley in Wednesday’s first game.

The Norse ace tossed a five-inning one-hitter with five strikeouts and only walked one batter en route to the shutout.

Simchak had the only Vermilion hit while Mesabi put things away early with three runs in the first.

Madeline Kallberg, a former Ely Timberwolf, was two-for-two with two runs scored for the Norse.

Mesabi completed the sweep with a 9-8 win in the nightcap, stranding the tying run in scoring position after Vermilion rallied with four runs in the seventh.

Simchak homered as part of a three-for-four performance for Vermilion. She finished with five RBI.

Thiel was three-for-four for the Ironhawks and Libby Korpi had two hits with two runs scored.

Anderson went the distance, giving up 12 hits.

Weather and field conditions permitting, Vermilion will have home doubleheaders Friday, April 19 and Saturday, April 20 at the high school field. Mesabi and Northland are the respective opponents with start times slated for 3 p.m. and noon.