Joey Crandall
Leadoff batters carry the same list of chores with them into every game.
Get on base. Create havoc on the basepaths. Get across the plate.
Kaycee Wilcks was able to cross every chore off her list Saturday, scoring three key runs and going 2-for-3 at the plate for Douglas as the Tigers came from behind to defeat Galena 5-3 in Northern 4A softball action Saturday at Galena.
Wilcks led off the top of the sixth inning laying down a tricky bunt just in front of home plate with the Tigers (2-3) trailing 3-1. Two Galena infielders tried to field the throw from catcher Felicia Kraft and Wilcks reached safely on the error.
"I just knew I had to get the ball in play," Wilcks said. "Our team was behind most of the game and I knew it was up to me, being the leadoff batter, that I had to get on and start things off.
"That's pretty much all that was in my mind, 'Any way you can.'"
Kristy Olsen, who finished with two RBI, doubled to score Wilcks - chasing Galena starter Justine Sorgent.
Brittany Puzey advanced Olsen with a sacrifice fly and Kayla Dunn singled to bring the tying run home. Valerie Smith then reached on a fielder's choice. Jessie Kizer drove in Valerie Smith for what ended up being the winning run.
Wilcks doubled in the seventh and scored on an Olsen single to add the late insurance run.
"It took us a while to get going, but we finally got it those last couple of innings," Douglas head coach Todd Wilcks said. "We've been talking with them about getting their pitch, knowing what you have to do when you get up there and hitting the ball up through the middle.
"You could see it those last couple of innings, the kids started to respond a little bit and we were successful at the plate after that."
Kayla Dunn pitched a complete game with six strikeouts and two walks to pick up the win.
"It's very important at the begining of the season to be able to come back to win a game like this," Dunn said. "Just knowing that you can do that as a team helps out building our character."
Dunn added two RBI at the plate to help out her own effort while Wilcks, Olsen, Stevie Smith and Jessie Kizer all collected two hits apiece.
Sorgent led the Grizzlies at the plate going 2-for-2 and driving in a run. Megan Molinari and Elyse Modline each doubled for Galena.