Mound Westonka Softball Wins Conference Crown

The Mound Westonka softball team clinched its first ever Wright County Conference softball title on Thursday with a 3-0 win over Glencoe-Silver Lake at home.

The White Hawks (13-3) used a strong pitching performance from Kim Hutchins to clinch the title. Hutchins went seven innings, allowed four hits and struck out 13 to pick up the win.

Second-year coach Dan Krause said the team reloaded last year after a state tournament appearance two years ago, and the team knew it could accomplish something special in 2011.

“This is what we set out to do last year,” Krause said. “Last year we showed the foundation. We brought that into the offseason and worked hard. We came in this year with the foundation in place, and it transitioned very well.”

The White Hawks dethroned Orono, who were the defending WCC champions.

At the plate, Brooklyn Pouti went 2-for-3 with a run, while Hutchins went 2-for-3 with an RBI and Ellie Kalgren went 1-for-2 with an RBI. KatieJo Delisle went 1-for-2 with a run.

No. 2 seeded Mound Westonka is set to begin its Section 5AA tournament Friday at home against No. 7 Fridley. First pitch is set for 4:30 p.m.

The team hopes to bring the conference championship momentum into section play.

“The girls bought into it,” Krause said. “They fought hard and they earned the championship with the work they put in the last couple years.”