Warriors hang on for first win
Catcher Gracie Kennicker snags a pitch during Central softball action last week. (Photos by Bev Hamann)
Pitcher Tenley Bormann throws to first baseman Blair Scherf to secure an out.
Shortstop Reese Berns makes a catch behind third base.
By Willis Patenaude, Times-Register
The Central softball team had five games last week, including two doubleheaders, which got underway at home versus Turkey Valley on June 17.
The Warriors fell behind 6-2 entering the third inning of game one, when the Central bats exploded and they rounded the bases for eight runs in the bottom of the inning. It was a lead the Warriors wouldn’t relinquish, going on to win their first game of the season, 12-9.
“We were able to get on the bats right away in this game. Each inning, we were able to put up runs and compete offensively. Defensively, Tenley Bormann did her job on the mound and her defense worked behind her to get the win. This young team was able to fight till the finish,” said coach Abby Cummer.
In the batters box, the Warriors finished with seven hits—five singles, one double and one triple. Ashlyn Scherf had two hits and two RBIs and scored three runs, while Crystal Goodrich scored twice and earned one hit and an RBI. Reese Berns finished with one hit and one run, and Ayden Schutte had one hit and an RBI. Oakley Armstrong crossed home plate three times and Gracie Kennicker collected a run and an RBI.
Bormann pitched a complete game, allowing seven hits, 11 walks and nine runs, along with three strikeouts. She held the Trojan bats to a .159 average.
Game two of the doubleheader was a slug fest, as both offenses put up crooked numbers in multiple innings. The Trojans got out to an 8-5 advantage heading into the bottom of the third inning, but the Warriors cashed in four runs to take a 9-8 lead.
Unfortunately, the lead was short-lived, as the Trojans stepped on home plate 18 more times between the fourth and sixth innings, outpacing the Warrior offense, which was only able to put up seven runs across three innings, leading to a 26-16 defeat.
“This game, Turkey Valley was electric with their hits, and we were unable to make plays and stop them from scoring. We were still able to put up 16 runs and get good hits. This game will aid with learning for the younger players,” Cummer added.
Berns led the way with two hits, four runs and an RBI, followed by Scherf with one hit, one RBI and three runs scored. Payton Stannard finished with one hit and three runs, while Goodrich collected two hits and two runs, Kennicker had two hits and an RBI and Blair Scherf went 2-5 with an RBI and run scored.
Pitching duties fell to Ashlyn Scherf, who gave up five hits and three walks and struck out four Trojans in six innings.
The Warriors were home again the following night, versus the Central City Wildcats. They never got the bats going, falling behind early after a nine-run third inning by the Wildcats. Although Central scored twice in the bottom of the third, they lost the game 14-2.
“We were tired from the games the day before. We were able to hold them to four runs in the first two innings, however, they broke the game open in the third inning. We were still able to score two runs, which is always a positive,” Cummer said.
Central totaled four hits and two walks, with Armstrong finishing with one hit, a run scored and an RBI. Ashlyn Scherf collected the second RBI on a double. Kennicker and Audrey Palas had the other two hits.
Blair Scherf was on the mound for the Warriors, going four innings and giving up seven hits and seven walks, while striking out two Wildcats.
On June 19, the Warriors had a road doubleheader against North Fayette Valley. The TigerHawks put up 10 runs in the first inning of game one and held the Warriors scoreless, winning 12-0.
“This game was all NFV. They were hitting the ball hard and in holes. We were unable to make plays defensively. Offensively, we were unable to see the ball, which led to a scoreless three-inning game for us. Great learning experience for the younger players,” Cummer said.
Goodrich had the only hit for the Warriors, who had 10 total at bats and struck out six times. Ashlyn Scherf pitched three innings, allowing 10 hits and one walk, with one strikeout.
The second game started much like the first, with the TigerHawks putting up seven runs in the opening frame, followed by seven more over the next three innings.
The Warriors managed to score one run in both the second and fourth innings, but the final score was 14-2 in favor of the TigerHawks.
“NFV hit the ball hard, and we made defensive mistakes. Offensively, we were able to score two runs and get some confidence back with hitting. Always able to learn from these tough games,” Cummer said.
Blair Scherf had two hits and one RBI and Goodrich had the other hit, as well as an RBI.
Blair Scherf also pitched for Central, going four innings while giving up 11 hits and five walks.
The Warriors were slated to have two games this week, starting June 24 versus South Winneshiek. That’s followed by a road game at Springville on June 27.
