Cardinals hoping to find their rhythm

(Above) GHV’s Mackenzie Van Gerpen gets congratulated by her teammates when she crosses home after she smacked a homerun.  Van Gerpen had two homeruns against the Eagles Friday night.  -Reporter photo by Chris Barragy

The Garner-Hayfield-Ventura softball team had a week of ups and downs.  The Cardinals managed only one win, but showed some promise on offense.

Forest City 15, GHV 10

There was a lot of action in the batter’s box when GHV faced Forest City on Wednesday, June 15.  Between the two teams, there was 22 hits.  Forest City recorded 10 and GHV had 12.  Despite getting more hits, the Cardinals couldn’t pull off the win.

GHV trailed 10-3 heading into the sixth inning.  The Cardinals came alive in the seventh, scoring seven runs, but it was a little too late as the Indians stayed on top by scoring five runs of their own for the final 15-10 victory.

“When we were down 15-3, the girls continued to compete and made it a close game,” said Coach Matt Graham.  “We hit the ball well.  We have just been giving up too many runs on defense.”

Jacki Van Oort had the hottest bat for the Cardinals, smacking a double and a homer.  She brought in four runners and scored a run of her own.

Miranda Jackson and Jayden Hughes also had doubles.  Hughes also had two RBIs.

Bailee Pitzenberger pitched 5.67 innings.  She gave up 10 hits, walked four and struck-out five.  Ashley Markla provided some relief and pitched 1.33 innings.  She struck out one batter.

GHV 13, West Hancock 3 (5)

The Cardinal bats were fired up Friday night, June 17, when GHV hosted West Hancock.  The Cardinals recorded a total of 15 hits, including one double, two triples and two homeruns.  GHV shut down the Eagles in five innings, 13-3.

Other teams better be shaking when Mackenzie Van Gerpen steps up to the plate.  Van Gerpen was 2/2 at the plate, and both hits were home runs.  The hits brought in four runners.

Miranda Jackson also proved to be a force to be reckoned with at the plate. She was 4/4 with two singles and triples.  She recorded three RBIs and scored four runs.  She also worked hard when she was on base, with two stolen bases to her credit.

Jillian Heitland pitched all five innings and recorded the win.  She gave up five hits, walked three and struck out four.

“With eight games this week, if we play well we can really improve our record and conference position,” said Coach Matt Graham.

Belmond-Klemme 18, GHV 8

Belmond-Klemme 9, GHV 5

It was a tough night on the road for the Cardinals, as they dropped two games to Belmond-Klemme on Monday, June 20.

Despite a strong start in the first game, with the Cardinals taking an early, 5-2 lead, the Broncos came back strong in the third inning, putting up six runs.  GHV couldn’t recover, as B-K went on to win, 18-8.

Bailee Pitzenger pitched all seven innings and took the loss.  She gave up 16 hits, walked three and struck out two.

Picking up two hits apiece were Payton Bamrick, Mackenzie Van Gerpen, Megan Oetken and Jayden Hughes.

Bamrick led the team in RBIs with three.  Hughes recorded two stolen bases for the Cardinals and she scored two runs.

In the second game, the Broncos took an early 9-2 lead at the end of the fourth innings.  The Cardinals held them scoreless for the next three innings, while scoring three runs in the seventh inning. It wasn’t enough, however, as B-K took home the win, 9-5.

Ashley Markla pitched six innings for the Cardinals.  She gave up 14 hits, walked seven and struck-out two.

The Cardinals had a tough time against Belmond-Klemme’s pitcher who struck-out 11 batters and walked none.

Bamrick did manage to hit two doubles off the B-K pitcher.  She also brought in two runs and scored a run.  Van Gerpen also smacked a double and brought in two runners.