Charter Oak-Ute turns to freshman pitcher after injury

The state high school softball tournament continues tonight in Fort Dodge. Pitching is a big part of softball and that’s what makes Charter Oak-Ute’s run to the class 1A semifinals even more impressive. Mid-way through the season all-state pitcher Kala Kuhlmann was lost for the season with a knee injury. The Lady Bobcats regrouped and turned to Kuhlmann’s eighth grade sister Kami who improved to 17-5 after Monday nights opening round victory against North Mahaska. Charter Oak-Ute coach Brian DeJong says it was his birthday June 24 when Kala went down, and he says it was a real gut “check.” He says they knew Kami could pitch, but were worried about throwing her to the wolves. Kami showed no signs of nerves in limiting North Mahaska to just three hits. DeJong says he was worried about the team having jitters in their first time at state, but he says when you have someone who can throw strikes and dominate the game, it makes a big difference for the defense. He says Kami is a real competitor, and even though she’s and eighth grader, she doesn’t pitch like one.