Tough week for the GHV girls softball team

The Garner-Hayfield-Ventura softball team picked up one win last week, but dropped four games to tough opponents.

Bishop Garrigan 17, GHV 12

It was a high scoring slug fest when the Cardinals faced Bishop Garrigan on Wednesday, June 1.

Bishop Garrigan got off to a big lead in the first two innings, using a grand slam and a three-run homer to take the lead, 12-5.  GHV didn’t give up, and after scoring five runs in the fifth inning closed the gap, 12-11.  The game ended with the Golden Bears collecting three more runs to the Cardinals’ one for the final, 17-12.

“We kept competing the whole game, even after we got down.  We just couldn’t get the big hit finish for the comeback,” said Coach Matt Graham.  “The girls played well.  We just gave them too many extra opportunities with some errors.”

Bailee Pitzenberger took the loss on the mound.  She gave up 15 hits, walked two and struck-out two.

Payton Bamrick, Katie Oetken and Pitzenberger led the team with three hits apiece.  Bamrick and Oetken also led in RBIs with three apiece.

Scoring two runs apiece were Miranda Jackson, Bamrick, Oetken and Trinity Smith.  Jackie Van Oort, Mackenzie Van Gerpen, Abby Kale and Jillian Heitland each scored one run.

Humboldt 12, GHV 2

The Cardinals hosted Humboldt on Thursday, June 2.

The game was evenly matched, accept for a poor second inning for the Cardinals when Humboldt piled up six runs.  GHV just couldn’t recover, as the Wildcats captured the 12-2 victory.

Mackenzie Van Gerpen smacked a double in the first inning that brought in Jacki Van Oort and Miranda Jackson for GHV’s only runs.

Jillian Heitland pitched all seven innings.  She gave up 11 hits, walked eight and struck out four batters.

GHV 3, Lake Mills 1

The Cardinals prevailed on a rainy, wet night, to capture a home field victory over Lake Mills on Friday, June 3.

Jillian Heitland got the 3-1 win on the mound for GHV.  Heitland struck out four batters, walked four and gave up three hits.

Miranda Jackson had the big bat for the night, hitting a double that brought in one runner.  Also collecting hits was Bailee Pitzenberger, Megan Oetken, Trinity Smith and Jayden Hughes.

Jackson, Hughes and Smith scored GHV’s three runs.

Rockford 11, GHV 8

GHV dropped a hard-fought battle on Saturday, June 4, when they traveled to Rockford.

The Cardinals had a 6-3 lead at the end of the third inning, but Rockford outscored GHV 8-2 in the final three innings to capture the 11-8 victory.

Ashley Markla started on the mound and pitched four innings.  She gave up eight hits and five runs.  She struck-out four batters.  Bailee Pitzenberger took over pitching duties.  She gave up five hits and six runs.

Jackie Van Oort smacked a nice single for the Cardinals that brought in two runner.  She also stole two bases and scored a run.  Payton Bamrick hit a pair of singles and Miranda Jackson had one single.

Scoring runs were Van Oort, Jayden Hughes, Jackson, Bamrick, Mackenzie Van Gerpen, Katie Oetken, Kaylee Mahlstedt and Markla.

Eagle Grove 11, GHV 9

The Cardinals put up a good fight, but in the end it was Eagle Grove that prevailed in a 11-9 victory on Monday, June 6.

GHV only led 9-8 after the fourth inning, but the Eagles kicked it up a notch to score one run in the fifth and two in the sixth for the win.

Bailee Pitzenberger pitched all six innings for the Cards.  She gave up 11 hits, walked four and struck out one.

Katie Oetken had a great night at the plate.  She connected on two hits, one being a double and she brought in four runners.  She also scored two runs.  Miranda Jackson also had a good night with two singles and a double.  She also scored two runs.  Payton Bamrick connected on three singles and she scored two runs.  Mackenzie Van Gerpen and Pitzenberger also had two singles.  Pitzenberger also had two RBIs.