Warriors end regular season on a winning streak, but suffer defeat in playoffs
Mackayla Vlazny throws the ball in from left field in Central’s playoff loss to Turkey Valley. (Photos by Bev Hamann)
Delaney Scherf smacks a triple against the Trojans.
Taylor Moser takes a solid cut in Central's playoff game against Turkey Valley.
By Willis Patenaude, Times-Register
The Central softball team got back into the win column with authority last week, ending the regular season on a four-game winning streak in which they out-scored opponents 56-8. That set the team up well for a first round playoff game against the Turkey Valley Trojans on June 30, but, unfortunately, the winning streak—and the Warriors’ season—came to an end.
The Warriors started last week with a June 26 doubleheader versus winless Postville. Central was slugging from the opening pitch, cranking nine runs across the plate in the first inning and another six in the second inning. By the time the end of the third inning arrived, the Warriors were up 15-2 and took the win via mercy rule.
Eight players scored at least one run on 15 hits and seven walks. Leading the attack was Taylor Moser, who was 2 for 2 with an RBI and two runs scored. Tori Sylvester singled, walked and scored a run, and Oakley Armstrong got in on the action with one hit, three runs scored and one RBI.
It was a quick outing for pitcher Katelyn Scherf, who went the full three innings with two hits and one earned run. She had four strikeouts.
The second game was more of the same for the Warriors, who put up all 13 runs in the second inning and took another win via the mercy rule. Central didn’t need to do as much offensively, as 13 walks produced much of the scoring, but the team put up four hits.
Every Warrior touched home plate for a run, with Mackayla Vlazny and Gracie Cummer responsible for the two RBIs and scoring four runs combined. Scherf also scored two runs and walked twice, while Armstrong walked twice, singled and scored a run. Delaney Scherf singled, walked and was hit by a pitch. She also scored a run.
The pitching assignment went to Moser, who gave up just two hits and struck out two Pirates.
On June 28, Central had a doubleheader versus West Central, and the offense immediately lit up the scoreboard. The team had two runs in the first inning, six in the second and five in the third inning, coasting to the 13-1 victory.
The Warriors tallied 11 hits, including six singles and five doubles. Ashlyn Scherf shined at the plate, with two doubles, three runs scored and three RBIs. D. Scherf also doubled twice and had two RBIs and two runs scored. Moser went 2 for 3 with a single and double, one RBI and three runs scored, while Armstrong was 2 for 2 with an RBI and run scored.
K. Scherf gave up just two hits, a walk and one earned run on the mound.
In game two, it took a few more innings for the Warriors to secure the victory, but given the 15-5 score, it was never in doubt, especially after they put up seven runs in the first inning and seven more in the third.
It was a hitter’s paradise for Central, which totaled 15 hits, including 12 singles and three doubles. D. Scherf led the team with three RBIs, after going 3 for 4 at the plate. She scored two runs. A. Scherf went 3 for 3 with one RBI, and two runs scored, and Sylvester went 2 for 3 with one RBI and three runs scored. Vlazny added an RBI while going 2 for 3.
K. Scherf was back on the mound, allowing six hits and three earned runs
The Warriors looked to extend the win streak as they entered the Class 1A – Region 7 playoff match-up against Turkey Valley June 30. It was a close game, with the Warriors trailing just 2-1 as the third inning rolled around. The Trojans were able to pull away after that, with four runs in the third and six in the fourth, handing the Warriors a 12-1 loss and first round playoff exit.
No individual stats were available at the time of publication.
The loss dropped Central to 7-17 overall. The Warriors were 6-10 in the Upper Iowa Conference, good for sixth place.
