If you glance at a box score and see that a softball player hit three home runs in game, you’d probably assume that it was a first or third baseman, one of the traditional power-hitting positions. The difference here is that Rachel Martindale happens to be a freshman shortstop for North Allegheny (Wexford, Pa.) High.
Martindale, also a star basketball player, hit three home runs and drove in seven in a win against Butler. The freshman hit another homer in a game later in the week against Hempfield. She’s now hitting close to .500 so far this season.
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Martindale’s power hitting display leads the American Family Insurance All-USA Performances of the Week.
The rest of the performances of the week as spring sports continue around the nation:
Zane Phelps, baseball, Bayfield (Colorado)
Phelps pitched an eight-inning perfect game for Bayfield. Phelps, a senior, was dominant as he struck out 16 of the 24 batters he faced.
Austin Borchardt, boys track and field, Edgar (Wisconsin)
The sprinter excelled in all three events he ran in at the Dr. H.A. Schultz Invite Monday afternoon at Edgar. Borchardt won the 100 meters in 11.62 seconds, 200 (23.83) and 400 (52.06) to help the host Wildcats capture the team championship with 168.5 points. Borchardt’s performance helped the Wildcats lead the pack by 60 points.
Kristen Wolf, girls swim and dive, Washburn Rural (Kansas)
Wolf finished first in three events and second in another (100 meters). She contributed in the victories in the 200-yard medley relay and 400-yard freestyle relay. Wolf also took gold in the 200-yard individual medley.
Jacob Brumm, boys tennis, Torrey Pines (California)
Brumm lost just one game in sweeping his two singles sets 6-1, 6-0. Ranked no 10 nationally in the boys 18 division, Brumm’s performance helped Torrey Pines win the San Diego Section Open Division title.
Madison Kingsley, softball, Kingwood (Texas)
Kingsley, a sophomore who has already committed to Baylor, was spectacular in a doubleheader against Cedar Ridge. Kingsley went the distance in both victories, as she struck out a combined 28 batters in 17 innings pitched. The wins helped Kingwood advance to the regional quarterfinals.
Thomas Nelson, boys volleyball, Dougherty Valley (California)
Nelson had 22 kills and 22 digs in a five-set win over Campolindo. Nelson followed that performance up with 17 kills, seven digs, three aces and three blocks in a four-set win over Miramonte to secure the DFAL crown.
Maddie Hentges, girls lacrosse, Irondale (Minnesota)
Hentges starred in Irondale’s 19-8 win over Centennial, scoring 11 goals and dishing out three assists.
Zach Rohaley, baseball, Canon-McMillan (Pennsylvania)
Rohaley was instrumental in helping Canon-McMillan clinch a Section 5-AAAA playoff berth last week. He threw a complete game shutout on Tuesday, striking out six and walking two in a 3-0 win over Bethel Park. Rohaley was almost better at the plate on game that sealed the playoff berth on Thursday. The sophomore hit a clutch three-run double in the 14th inning of Canon-McMillan’s 6-4 win.
Lisa Nelson, softball, Juanita (Washington)
Nelson was busy in the circle and at the plate last week, leading Juanita to two victories. In the first game, Nelson struck out 11 Lake Washington batters in seven innings of work, a performance that handed Lake Washington its first loss of the season. Nelson excelled at the plate and in the circle against Bellevue later in the week, as she went 3-for-4 with six RBI. In the circle, Nelson struck out eight and gave up just one hit.