BUCYRUS — Lauren Frietchen has come into her own as pitcher for the Colonel Crawford Lady Eagles this year.

That fact was on full display Saturday morning against the Bucyrus Lady Redmen.

Frietchen struck out 13 Redmen batters — including the first 11 she faced — and gave up just one infield single as the Eagles blanked Bucyrus, 13-0, in a Northern 10 Athletic Conference game at Jack Hewitt Field.

“As a freshman, it was COVID year and she lost that year of experience that I definitely think would have helped her,” Colonel Crawford coach Sarah Fraser said. “Last year, she was kind of like a freshman, learning the high school experience.”

The offense got Frietchen all the runs she would need in the top of the first. Allison Weithman led the game off with a triple and promptly scored on a sacrifice bunt by Kaylyn Risner.

Bucyrus starter Kendra Blizzard should have gotten out of the inning with two runs scoring, but two errors prolonged the first inning. Alivia Studer walked, stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch. Harley Thomas walked. Studer scored on an error with Thomas going to third.

Nettie Gallant was safe on an error which brought home Studer and Thomas. Gallant scored on a ground out by Hanna Perry for a 4-0 lead.

“We’re young,” Bucyrus coach Jerry Hargis said. “And what young does is lack experience — lack of knowing if a ball goes here, I’ve got to do this or I’ve got to do that.”

Five Redmen errors led to three unearned runs, but none of that mattered to Frietchen. The junior righthander fanned the first 11 Bucyrus (0-7, 0-6 N10) — seven swinging.

“She’s been 100 percent consistent,” Fraser said. “Honestly, this was the best velocity — the best focused in — I’ve seen her pitch. She did phenomenal.”

Colonel Crawford (11-2, 6-0) scored in four of the five innings. The Eagles scored three in the second on two hits and an error, two in the third on three hits and an error and closed the game out with four in the fifth on five hits and an error.

“They’re not much different than we were last year,” Hargis said. “Give them credit. They’ve got a good ball team. I hope they win a lot of ball games. They’ve got a good coach; they’ve got kids that want to play the game and they’ve got experience.”

Almost overshadowed by Frietchen’s dominance was an outstanding offensive performance by Weithman. The shortstop had three triples and a double, scored three runs, and drove in three.

Atley Crabaugh had two hits, with a double. Madison Cobb had a triple, Studer and Thomas had doubles, and Thomas, Gallant, and Perry singled.

All of that was in support of Frietchen, who walked no one and only went to a three-ball count twice.

“That has been one thing different this year versus last year,” Fraser said. “Her ball-to-strike ratio is tremendous. She gets ahead of batter so much better this year.”

The lone hit for the Redmen was an infield single by Blizzard in the fourth inning. Blizzard pitched four innings. giving up 10 runs, seven earned, while striking out two and walking four. Freshman Isabella Bruss pitched the fifth inning, making her varsity debut in the circle.

Bucyrus was missing two starters, two that were on a DECA trip out of state and one due to illness.

“Missing a few kids didn’t help us any,” Hargis said. “But I don’t think I don’t think the kids are giving up or throwing in the towel. They want to play the game.

“(Frietchen) was inside and outside,” Hargis added. “She did a nice job. I thought the first time we played, we hit her pretty hard. Of course, the personnel was a little different.”

Colonel Crawford has a big test on Monday when they host Wynford. Fraser cautioned her team in the post-game meeting that this is a much-improved Wynford team compared to recent seasons.

“This is a good softball league,” Hargis said. “I’ve said it for years and years. I think it’s the toughest sport in the N10 as far as competition is concerned.”

Box score

Colonel Crawford     432 04X X       13     12        0

Bucyrus                       000 00X X          0       1        5

WP: Lauren Frietchen (13 SO, 0 W)

LP: Kendra Blizzard (2 SO, 4 W)

HR: None.

Triples: (CC) Allison Weithman 3, Madison Cobb.

Doubles: (CC) Alivia Studer, Allison Weithman, Harley Thomas, Atley Crabaugh.

Multiple hits: (CC) Allison Weithman 4, Atley Crabaugh.

Records: Colonel Crawford 11-2, 6-0 N10; Bucyrus 0-7, 0-6 N10.

Next: Wynford at Colonel Crawford, Monday; Carey at Bucyrus, Wednesday.