Ellsworth and Baldwin-Woodville entered a week where they would battle twice with 4-0 conference records, sharing the top spot in the Middle Border. The first game did not go as planned with the Blackhawks jumping to a 13-3 lead, and despite Ellsworth’s best effort at the plate, holding on to win 16-12 April 22. They swiftly bounced back two days later, shutting down the Baldwin-Woodville offense on their way to a 7-2 win.

The home game had a disastrous start, with seven Baldwin-Woodville runners crossing the plate in the top of the first. Aliza Acker entered the circle in relief with the bases loaded and nobody out in the first down 3-0, a tough situation for anyone to get out of. Walks were an issue in the inning, with five Blackhawks getting a free pass.

Acker hit two homers at the plate, driving in five runs to help the Panther offense that put up a fight, but a Blackhawk six-run second inning was enough to distance Baldwin-Woodville.

“We didn’t help our pitchers out [in the field],” Head Coach Tom Diercks said. “We hit the crap out of the ball.”

The Panthers had 15 hits as a team, with four coming from sophomore Aubrey Bauer and four others piling on two hits.

Ellsworth then hit the road Thursday for the rematch. With the Middle Border Conference scheduling every team to meet twice in the same week, teams get a chance to get their revenge right away. Ellsworth did just that, winning 7-2 after Acker had a shut-down pitching performance.

Seniors Delaney Johnson and Aaliyah Huppert hit homers and a 2-2 day from Acker with three stolen bases manufactured a few extra runs.

“If our pitching is on, we’re a tough beat,” Diercks said. “They’ll be right in the mix for everything. For conference and through the playoffs, they’ll be tough.”

Ellsworth’s senior class of Karli Gutting, EmmaJo Meier, Johnson, Huppert and Acker simply produces, filling the most crucial positions with a ton of production. It’s not just on the field, though, as Diercks raved about their multiple leadership styles.

“They’re positive. They don’t get down on the other girls,” Diercks said. “They’re willing to teach and help at all times.”

Acker’s confidence at the plate was on full display, hitting 4-4 for the week with five intentional walks, two homers, five runs batted in and five runs scored. With a week at the plate like that one, Diercks said it carried over to her pitching.

“It just gives you that confidence. Gives you just a good feel,” Diercks said. “She was just on fire… She had her control back, pitched with velocity.”

Diercks mentioned a key to Acker flourishing is the success of Huppert, because if the batters surrounding Acker are hitting, they have to go right at her with strikes.

“When they respect [Huppert], they can’t pitch around Aliza,” Diercks said.

Ellsworth is now 9-2 on the year with a 5-1 conference record, stuck in a three-way tie with Baldwin-Woodville and Somerset. They get two cracks at Somerset now, facing them April 29 and May 1 to stay in the mix or separate themselves from the pack.