The United Red Storm softball team is currently sitting at (5-8) on the season, sporting a roster of just 11 girls. With a short roster already, they had been lucky to have not been bitten by the injury bug. Their luck ran out over the weekend. Starting pitcher and cleanup hitter, sophomore Maddie Hepner sustained a finger injury while playing first base in the second game of a double header on Saturday. The injury will keep her out of the lineup until at least the postseason. Hepner was batting nearly .500 and had gotten all five of the Red Storm pitching wins so far this season. She’s hoping for more clarity on the injury in the coming days.
The United softball team was able to get in 4 games this past week. The Red Storm kicked off the week with 2-game, home-and-away series against Annawan-Wethersfield, falling on the road 4-0 on Tuesday and 7-2 on Thursday. The Red Storm also split a doubleheader with Mercer County, winning the 1st game 6-5 and losing the 2nd 8-3. Due to the injury to a crucial part of the pitching staff and major bat in the lineup, head coach Mark McMahon is looking for the rest of his squad to step up for production.
United will travel to Knoxville on Tuesday as part of another home-and-away series. The second game will take place on Thursday at United High School. The Red Storm will also face Ridgewood in a doubleheader on Saturday. United is hoping to cash-in with big hits with runners in scoring position to produce more runs on the scoreboard.
For the entire interview with McMahon, go the SPORTS PODCAST section.
***Story by Prairie Communications intern Ben Anderson***
