Northwest Softball Wins Thriller vs Hastings

Photo Credit: Josh Salmon

(Grand Island, NE) - The two rivals didn't disappoint on Thursday night at the Veterans Complex as Northwest would defeat Hastings, 4-3, to kick off the 2025 high school softball season. 

Northwest would trail 2-0 going to the bottom of the third inning. The Vikings would come back to score three runs. A solo home run by senior Jolie O'Hara would get things started, followed by two back-to-back wild pitches that would score two runs to give Northwest a 3-2 advantage. Hastings would then come back in the top of the fourth and score one run to tie the game 3-3. Northwest would have a chance in the 6th inning to take the lead with the bases loaded and one out, but would come up empty. 

The Vikings would then get their chance in the bottom of the 7th inning. A first pitch swinging by freshman Abby Dinkleman would give the Vikings a runner at second base with no outs. Dinkelman would then steal third base. Next up to bat would be senior Libby Loman. During the at-bat, Hastings would give away the third run of the game on a wild pitch. This time, Dinkelman slid headfirst into home to win the game. 

The two starting pitchers were superb throughout the night. Hasings sophomore Ella Tinsman had 13 strikeouts, tossing six innings on 127 pitches, giving up six hits and four runs. Northwest sophomore starter Graclynn Simmons had 10 strikeouts in seven innings, giving up six hits and three runs on 150 pitches. 

Both squads travel to Skutt Catholic on Saturday to face Skutt and Beatrice. Northwest will travel to Hastings St Cecilia Tuesday, August 26th. First pitch is set for 6:30 pm. Listen live on 2DAYFM 103.1.