Cardinal girls win two; drop four in recent softball action

(Above) The GHV softball team congratulates Megan Oetken after she smacked a home run during the Bishop Garrigan game on Wednesday, May 31. -Reporter photo by Chris Barragy

It was a week of ups and downs for the Garner-Hayfield-Ventura girls, as they picked up two wins and dropped four games.

GHV 12, Belmond-Klemme 15

The Cardinals came out on the bottom of a slug fest against Belmond-Klemme on Tuesday, June 30.  Both teams scored a lot of runs, but it was the Broncos that prevailed, 15-12.

Jayden Hughes was a leader at the plate with two hits, three RBIs and two runs scored.  Jillian Heitland and Maddie Graham also had stellar nights batting, with both collecting three hits apiece, with one double each.  Heitland also had two RBIs.  Graham scored three runs.  Morgan Kaczor had two hits, a single and one double.  She also scored two runs.

Jillian Heitland took the loss on the mound.  She pitched four and one-third innings, giving up eight hits, 10 runs and she struck out six batters.  Bailee Pitzenberger provided some relief.  She gave up five hits and three runs and struck out one.

Bishop Garrigan 15, GHV 3

Bishop Garrigan proved to be a little too powerful for the Cardinals, as they topped them 15-3, in three innings in a home contest played on Wednesday, May 31.

Ashley Markla was the losing pitcher.  She gave up nine hits and struck out three.

A highlight of the game was a home run smack by Megan Oetken in the first inning that brought in Jacki Van Oort and Abby Kale for GHV’s three runs.  Van Oort and Oetken got on base by each hitting a single.

Humboldt 10, GHV 0

The Garner-Hayfield-Ventura softball team just couldn’t get anything going, as they fell 10-0 on Thursday, June 1, on the road to Humboldt.  Humboldt is currently ranked number four in the state.

The Wildcats got on the board early, scoring three runs in the first inning.  The third inning was another strong one for Humboldt, as they scored five runs.  The Wildcats scored a run in each of the fifth and sixth innings for the final, 10-0 victory.

Bailee Pitzenberger took the loss for GHV.  She pitched four and one-third innings.  She gave up 15 hits and 10 runs.

Megan Oetken and Trinity Smith were the only Cards to manage a hit off Humboldt’s Ellie Jacobson, who struck out eight batters.

“Our attitude and effort was much improved.  We hit the ball hard and we hung in there and made some plays,” said Coach Matt Graham.  “We just need to make sure we keep making the routine plays and don’t give up too many extra bases and we will start improving the win total.”

Lake Mills 9, GHV 6

The Cardinals started strong and jumped to an early lead in a road game against Lake Mills on Friday, June 2.  Unfortunately for GHV, they couldn’t maintain the momentum and fell, 9-6.

The Cardinals opened the game by scoring two runs in the first inning and one in the second to garner a 3-0 lead before the Bulldogs went to bat in the bottom of the second inning.  Lake Mills got two runs across the plate, 3-2.

The Cardinals opened the fourth inning scoring three more runs.  It was in the fourth that the Bulldogs also erupted and got across six runs of their own, to take a two run lead, 8-6.  Lake Mills got one more run in the sixth inning to seal the win, 9-6.

Ashley Markla took the loss for GHV.  She threw six innings and gave up 13 hits, nine runs and struck out four.

Jillian Heitland led the team at the plate with two singles and a double.  She also scored two runs.  Jayden Hughes also had a good game with three hits, two RBIs and two runs.  Abby Kale had two singles and three RBIs, while Megan Oetken had two hits and one RBI.

Lake Mills Tournament

The Cardinals competed in a tournament in Lake Mills on Saturday, June 3, where they went 1-1.

GHV fell to Central Springs, 14-0, in a lopsided game.

Ashley Markla took the loss.  She pitched two innings, giving up 11 hits, 14 runs and she struck out two batters.  Maddie Graham provided some relief in the third inning.

Jayden Hughes and Ashley Marcela were the only players to get a hit for the Cards.

The second game was a lot better for the Cardinals, as they picked up an 11-3 win against Riceville.

[wlm_nonmember]To read more of this article, please login or sign up for our E-Edition[/wlm_nonmember]

[wlm_ismember]

Bailee Pitzenberger pitched the entire game, giving up 12 hits, three runs and striking out five.

Pitzenberger also had a good game batting, with three hits and three RBIs.  Two of her hits were doubles.  The Cardinals had hot bats, with Jacki Van Oort, Jillian Heitland, Kaylee Mahlstedt and Trinity Smith all hitting doubles

Heitland had three RBIs, while Mahlstedt had two.

“With only 14 girls out, our girls are seeing a lot of game action, which will help us as the season goes on,” said Coach Matt Graham.

[/wlm_ismember]