On Tuesday, May 7, the Varsity Softball team played their rivals, East Dubuque. It was the second time facing the Warriors this season, the first being at East Dubuque, when the Pirates won thirteen to eleven. On Tuesday, the Pirates had the home field advantage, playing at Weinen Park. Galena showed up and showed out, beating East Dubuque eleven to one, mercy ruling the Warriors.

Senior Sam Stoffregen helped the Pirates majorly, scoring three runs, three RBIs, a double, a triple, and hitting three out of the four times she was up to bat. “We always love beating East Dubuque when we have the chance,” said Stoffregen. “The fact that we mercy ruled them just makes it feel ten times better.We did a really good job communicating, and had very few errors, we just played together as one.”

Coach Dusty Berning was also proud of the Pirates for beating their longtime rivals. “It felt good to beat East Dubuque,” he said. “Beating them is one thing, but winning by the mercy rule is ten times better. It’s been a long, long time since Galena has beaten East Dubuque twice in one year and it’s never been by the mercy rule.” Berning complemented the Pirates play during the game, “We played like the coaches knew the girls were capable of playing all year,” he said. “Our hitters were aggressive, we played excellent defense, and pitching was the best it’s been all year.