Hornet opener: two combine for no-hitter, freshman hits grand slam

WRHS players managed an impressive nine-run first inning.

There were two significant takeaways from White River High’s season-opening softball victory over River Ridge.

That’s not including an explosive nine-run first inning, with five more tacked on in the second frame, which propelled the Hornets to a lopsided 15-2 victory over the home-field Hawks.

The highlights came first in the pitching department. White River starter Marissa Bartels went three innings, fanned three and didn’t allow a hit. Bryanna Montoya came on in relief, went two more innings and polished off the combined no-hitter.

Offensively, White River received more than necessary from Megan Klapperich. The Hornets had the bases loaded when the freshman stepped to the plate and, seeing the first pitch of her high school career, crushed a grand slam.

The contest wasn’t entirely clean from the Hornet standpoint, as River Ridge used a walk, a hit batter and a couple of White River errors to push two unearned runs across the plate.