Bulldog softball shuts out Postville in postseason opener
By Audrey Posten, Times-Register
The MFL MarMac softball team went 0-3 in its final games of the regular season last week, but picked up a win when it mattered most, defeating Postville 12-0 in the July 1 postseason opener.
The Pirates came into the match-up winless and managed just one hit and one walk off Bulldog pitcher Lauren Haberichter. The senior also racked up nine strikeouts.
MFL MarMac bats, meanwhile, earned eight hits and two walks off Postville’s Olivia Lansing. Four Pirate errors didn’t help their pitcher’s cause.
The 12 runs were a welcome sign for the Bulldogs, who collected just three runs combined in their previous three games last week. They all came in a June 27 home doubleheader against North Fayette Valley.
The TigerHawks won the first game 14-0, after holding MFL MarMac to a single baserunner—a hit from Haberichter. They tallied 15 hits of their own and walked twice, and were relentless on the base paths with 12 steals. The Bulldog defense committed eight errors, leading to 11 unearned runs for NFV.
MFL MarMac finally got on the board in game two, which ended in a 15-3 loss. The Bulldogs scored all their runs in the third inning, but couldn’t overcome several big outbursts from the TigerHawks, including a five-run first and eight-run third.
Haberichter knocked in two runs on a double. The other RBI was courtesy of Savannah Schaller, who singled and scored. Ashley Shaw earned a triple and crossed home plate once, while Garnett Niedziejko walked and scored a run.
Three pitchers went to the mound for the Bulldogs, surrendering a combined 11 hits, three walks and a hit batter in three innings. Only 10 of the TigerHawks’ 15 runs were considered earned.
MFL MarMac wrapped up the regular season June 29, in a 12-0 loss at Waukon. Indian pitcher Cameron Johnson threw a four-inning perfect game against the Bulldogs, allowing no base runners and striking out eight hitters.
Waukon tattooed Haberichter with 10 hits, a walk and two hit batters, and four runners reached on errors. The Bulldogs committed five errors overall, making only half of the 12 runs scored against Haberichter earned.
MFL MarMac wrapped up the regular season 8-25, but with a 6-10 mark in the Upper Iowa Conference. The team will continue its season Wednesday, July 6, in a Class 2A - Region 8 quarterfinal at Cascade (17-11). First pitch is set for 7 p.m.