Lineup fuels K-M to a pair of victories

The Kasson-Mantorville softball team is going through a bit of a learning process in the field, but their lineup has been the team’s strength all season long. The KoMets’ power was on full display this week in taking two out of three games.
“Our production has been getting better,” K-M softball coach Paul Mann said of the lineup, which is now batting .320 on the season. “We have focused on a calm, consistent approach at the plate and our quality of at-bats has been the biggest difference. The girls know that no game is won by just one swing and it takes several quality at-bats to put runs up on the board against good teams.”
The KoMets began their week with a HVL matchup between Kenyon-Wanamingo on April 26. The road game wasn’t much of a test for K-M as they were able to touch home plate early and often in a 14-1 victory. 
Third baseman Mikayla Grant smacked a two-run home run in the win and pitcher Chante Thome and catcher Addison Murry added three hits. Second baseman McKenzie Hemann also went 4-for-4 with a double and a pair of RBI against the Knights.
After the KoMets had their game with Cannon Falls rained out (makeup date TBD), the team was in a celebratory mood for their home game against Eagan on April 29. In addition to unveiling their 2015 Class AA state championship banner in center field, K-M honored former coach Jeff Fague, who coached the team for five seasons while capping it off with back-to-back state titles.
“Coach Fague was a consistent coach,” Mann explained. “He knew what was needed to win back-to-back state championships. Having a pitcher like [Maddie] Damon certainly made things more possible, but you are still going to have to score runs and make plays in the big games and they were always ready to do so.”
Unfortunately, the Wildcats felt like party crashers and got a pair of runs in the top of the first. The KoMets were able to battle back as Hemann collected two hits while Katie Harrington, Kendra Powers, Grant and Meyer each got one. As the game wound down, K-M was able to get a pair of runne