PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY SAM CANTONWINE — Head Coach Kodi Hillman (far left) and the South Tama softball team poses for a picture after their win against Vinton-Shellsburg on June 16, which snapped a nearly four-year losing streak.

Monday, June 16, was a monumental day for the South Tama softball program. With their 11-1 home victory over fellow WaMaC opponent Vinton-Shellsburg, the Trojans snapped two long losing streaks.

The first was simply getting a win: it had been nearly four years since the team’s last victory. The program’s last win came during the 2021 season on June 26. On that day, STC senior Ashlynn Ellenbecker had three hits, including a home-run and 3 RBI, to lead the Trojans to a 4-1 triumph over Eagle Grove.

The second streak that was broken was a win within the Trojans’ conference. STC’s last in- conference win came on June 27, 2016. On that date, the Trojans beat Williamsburg 8-6 behind junior Sabrina Holtz’s four hits and three RBIs. Since that game, during the eight seasons that have followed, the Trojans have only had 21 wins as a program. During one season — 2022 — South Tama did not field a team. Over half of those twenty-one victories came against GMG and North Tama in those eight seasons. But never did the Trojans earn a victory against a conference foe — until now.

“The win was nothing short of amazing for the girls and the program,” said first year head coach Kodi Hillman after beating the Vikettes in the first game of their doubleheader.

The Trojans jumped out to an early lead, scoring two runs each in the first and second inning. Carrying a 4-0 lead into the top of the third, the Vikettes were able to scratch a run across on an RBI single by senior left fielder Addy Chvala. But the Trojans exploded for seven runs in their half of the fourth inning to set the final score at 11-1 in four innings.

Offensively, STC was led by freshman catcher Shelby Johannsen, who has paced the Trojans at the plate all season. Johannsen finished the game going 2-3, with two singles, two runs, and two RBIs. Senior second baseman Abigail Chyma also had two hits in the game and an RBI. Also getting hits for STC were freshman shortstop Sydney Arp, freshman pitcher Layla Pansegrau, senior center fielder Madison Wiese, and freshman left fielder Maylee Rucker. Arp, Wiese, and senior third baseman Madison Hitchcock chipped in an RBI each.

Pansegrau tossed four solid innings for the Trojans, only giving up four hits, one run, and one walk. STC also played a strong game on defense, which Hillman noted in her analysis.

“We had incredible defense and were even better on offense. Overall it was a lot of fun and it was great to see the girls’ excitement from the win,” she said.

The Trojans dropped the second game of the doubleheader, 13-0, but that did not dampen the enthusiasm over the opening win and what it means for the program.

“The win was huge,” Hillman said. “It’s a new starting point for the program, as we will continue to win games in the future. It was really exciting for the girls, especially the seniors who haven’t had a varsity win in their high school careers.”

Up next for the STC softball team (1-16) is a home doubleheader against Mount Vernon. The games will mark ‘Alumni Night’ at the South Tama softball complex.

The Trojans are celebrating 50 years of the softball program. All former members of the STC softball program will be admitted for free and the program’s inaugural 1975 Trojan team will be recognized between games. Game one of the evening will begin at 5:30 p.m. The between game recognition will take place at approximately 6:45 p.m.

When asked about what lies ahead for the season and the program, Hillman spoke optimistically.

“I have been talking to the girls about puzzle pieces and putting all of them together. Each game this year has felt like we’ve had one really strong piece but we need all of them together in order to achieve more wins. In the game against Vinton, all the pieces came together,” she said. “That’s what it’s going to take to keep moving in a positive direction. We still have several games to compete in and snag more wins if we keep putting in the work and bringing those pieces together.”