STURGIS, SD – Scooper starting pitcher Jayna Johnston fanned 13 Spearfish batters to lead Sturgis to a 17-8 victory over their rivals in a Tuesday night matchup at the Fort Meade Softball Complex.

Johnston shut down the Spartan lineup through five innings, striking out 11 batters. The Scoopers had a 7-3 lead headed into the top of the sixth inning, when Spearfish exploded for five runs on relief pitcher Brinley Heikes to take an 8-7 lead. Sturgis head coach Kayleen Selfridge brought Johnston back with one out in the sixth and she struck out Taylor Tennant and Everly Whitlock to retire the side.

The Sturgis bats caught fire in the bottom of the sixth as the Scoopers scored 10 runs on eight hits to take a 17-8 lead. Sydney Andrzejewski came in on relief and closed out the game, holding Spearfish scoreless in the final inning to give Sturgis the win.

Johnston got the pitching win for Sturgis (6-8), striking out 13 on 99 pitches with two walks, giving up seven hits. The Scoopers pounded out 18 hits and were led by Tylee Bestgen, who went 4-for-4 at the plate with two RBIs. Kierra Killinger and Carsyn Anderson each had three hits for Sturgis.

Tennant took the pitching loss for Spearfish (2-16). The Spartans finished with 10 hits and were led by Shelby Hoyt, Vanorah Carlson and Abby Feyereisen with two hits apiece.

The Scooper girls are in action next as they travel to Sioux Falls on Thursday to take on the Washington Warriors, then O’Gorman and Brandon Valley on Friday to wrap up the regular season.