The Return
Déjà vu for Seven Lakes? If so, Spartans have a lot to look forward to
Dennis Silva II
Sep 7, 2018, 5:00 am
Things are looking up again for Seven Lakes at just the right time Vype
Originally Appeared on Vype
It’s practically déjà vu for Seven Lakes.
During the preseason non-district slate last year, the Spartans went 11-5. It was a respectable mark, but one that belied the plethora of talent on the roster. Injuries and the lengthy absence of coach Amy Cataline, then on maternity leave, had significant influence; however, Seven Lakes went 17-3 the rest of the way before falling to Hebron in the Class 6A state final.
This year is falling in line similarly.
Heading into the start of District 19-6A play Friday with a showdown against Tompkins, Seven Lakes is 15-12. Injuries and the lengthy absence of sophomore star hitter Ally Batenhorst have contributed; the Spartans have played just one set at full health in 27 matches.
So Seven Lakes is relishing a fresh start, now that the games mean something, and with that comes a full lineup. Batenhorst returned to the Spartans on Tuesday after helping the USA Girls Youth National Team to the gold medal in the NORCECA Girls’ U18 Continental Championships in Honduras. Program stalwarts Natalie Winter and Morgan Janda are fully recovered from nagging injuries.
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Jose Altuve and rookie Jacob Melton drove in three runs each as the Houston Astros jumped on Chris Paddack early and cruised to a 10-3 win over the Minnesota Twins on Friday night.
Paddack (2-6) tied career highs by allowing 12 hits and nine runs — eight earned — in just four innings for his third straight loss.
Houston rookie starter Colton Gordon (2-1) gave up six hits and two runs with five strikeouts in a career-high six innings.
Jeremy Peña tied a season-high with four hits and rookie Cam Smith had two hits and two RBIs as the AL West-leading Astros won their third straight.
Willi Castro, Royce Lewis and Ty France all hit solo homers for the Twins, who were blown out for the third time in four games after losing to Texas 16-4 Tuesday and 16-3 Thursday.
Lewis, who missed the start of the season with a hamstring strain, pulled up as he was running to first base on a single in the ninth inning and was replaced by a pinch-runner. There was no immediate word on his injury.
The Astros got to work early in this one. The bases were loaded with two outs in the first when Smith hit a two-run single to center field to make it 2-0. Melton followed with a single to right field to drive in another run.
There were runners on first and third with one out in the second when Altuve’s double scored two to make it 5-0.
The Twins loaded the bases with two outs in the third but Carlos Correa grounded out to end the threat.
Melton hit a two-run triple with no outs in the bottom of the inning to push the lead to 7-0. A sacrifice fly by Mauricio Dubón made it 8-0.
The Twins got on the board with Castro’s two-out homer in the fourth inning.
Altuve homered to left-center to start the bottom of the inning and make it 9-1.
Key moment
Smith’s two-RBI single in the first that gave Houston the lead for good.
Key stat
The Astros had four doubles to give them 15 in their last three games.
Up next
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (8-3, 1.82 ERA) opposes Twins RHP Joe Ryan (7-2, 2.96) on Saturday.