The Mitchell High School softball team has been working overtime to turn their season around, and this past Saturday, all that effort finally paid off in a big way. After a tough two-week stretch that saw them drop seven straight games, the Kernels rediscovered their winning form at McWhirter Field, sweeping a home doubleheader with a gritty 6-4 win over Sturgis followed by an explosive 11-1 rout of Spearfish in just six innings.
It was the kind of day that can change the trajectory of a season—not just for the team’s record, but for the energy and confidence that comes with back-to-back wins for the first time all year. Leading the charge was junior pitcher Rylee Jennings, who delivered two complete-game performances that left no doubt about her determination. In Game 1, she went the full seven innings, allowing just one earned run on eight hits while striking out two and walking one, closing the door on a late Sturgis rally to seal the 6-4 victory.
The offense backed her up early, breaking through in the second inning when Malia Reitzel drove in the first run, Iris Ackman followed with an RBI double to center, and Kinsley Herges added another to build a 3-0 lead. Ackman was unstoppable at the plate, going a perfect 3-for-3 with three RBIs, including two doubles and a single. Delaney Linke also stepped up, finishing 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored, while Addison Cushard-Fedderson and Mallory Miedema each chipped in a hit as the Kernels tallied eight hits in the opener.
That momentum carried straight into Game 2, where Mitchell came out swinging. The Kernels jumped on Spearfish early, scoring four runs in the first inning. Miedema opened the scoring with an RBI single, and then Ackman cleared the bases with a three-run triple to put Mitchell firmly in control. The lead grew to 5-0 in the third when Reitzel executed a perfectly placed sacrifice bunt to plate another run. Jennings was even sharper in her second start of the day, striking out 12 batters without issuing a single walk, allowing just one run on six hits over six innings to close out the 11-1 win.
For a team that has been searching for its rhythm, this doubleheader sweep is more than just two wins—it's a statement. The Kernels showed they can battle through adversity, get key contributions up and down the lineup, and rely on a dominant arm in the circle. If this is the start of a new chapter, Mitchell fans have plenty of reason to be excited about what’s ahead.