Cardinals hoping for some wins

(Above) GHV catcher Megan Oetken gets an Osage player in a hot-box during Tuesday night’s game in Garner.  Also pictured for GHV is pitcher, Jillian Heitland, who is ready to lend some back-up.  -Reporter photo by Chris Barragy

The Garner-Hayfield-Ventura softball team put up some good fights, but they just couldn’t pull off a win in recent softball action

Osage 12, GHV 10

It was a fierce battle on Tuesday, June 7, when the Cardinals hosted Osage for a Top of Iowa Conference showdown.

After three innings, the Green Devils managed a one run lead, 5-4.  Osage added to their lead by one run following the fourth inning, 9-7.  The two run advantage was all Osage needed, as they went on to win the game, 12-10.

“We were hitting the ball well, but were giving up too many runs on defense,” said Coach Matt Graham.

Jillian Heitland gave it all she had on the mound.  She gave up 10 hits, compared to 15 by Osage’s pitcher, Emma Williams.  Heitland struck out three and walked four.

Katie Oetken and Payton Bamrick each had three hits for the Cardinals.  Oetken smacked two doubles and brought in two runners.  Bamrick had one double and she recorded three RBIs.

  Jacki Van Oort led the team in runs scored with three.  She also had two hits, including one double.

Rockford 14, GHV 1 (3)

It was a tough night on the road for the Cardinals on Thursday, June 9, when they traveled to Rockford and lost 14-1 in three innings.

Rockford came out swinging and scored seven runs in the first inning, followed by four in the second and three in the third.

Katie Oetken scored GHV’s lone run and also had the team’s only hit.

Bailee Pitzenberger started the game on the mound and pitched one inning.  She gave up three hits, three runs, struck-out two and walked one.  Jillian Heitland was the losing pitcher.  She pitched 1.33 innings. She gave up two hits and allowed 11 runs.  She struck out one and walked three.

Garner Tournament

The Cardinals hosted a tournament on Saturday, June 11.  The high temps took their toll on GHV, as they dropped two games.  The Cardinals lost a close contest to Eagle Grove, 3-2, and they fell, 11-4, to a tough Manson NW Webster team.

Ashley Markla pitched all six innings against Eagle Grove.  She gave up seven hits and walked two.

Payton Bamrick led the offense with two hits, one RBI and she scored one run.  Megan Oetken also had two hits.  Jayden Hughes scored the other Cardinal run.

Against Manson NW Webster, the Cardinals scored both their runs in the first inning and just couldn’t get any more runs over the plate in the 11-2 loss.

Jillian Heitland pitched all four innings. She allowed nine hits, walked two and struck-out three.

A highlight of the game was a homerun by Megan Oetken.  Her hit brought in two runs.

Hughes had two hits, one RBI and scored one run.  Jacki Van Oort smacked a double and scored two runs.

“We need to focus more and come to the diamond with energy,” said Coach Matt Graham.  “If we do these two things, we can hopefully put together some wins.”

North Iowa 13, GHV 11

North Iowa 14, GHV 9

The Cardinals hosted North Iowa for a double header on Monday, June 13.

Despite a huge third inning where GHV scored nine runs, they just didn’t have enough in the other innings to put North Iowa away, as the Bison won the contest, 13-11.

Bailee Pitzenberger pitched all seven innings.  She gave up 12 hits, walked three and struck-out three.

Mackenzie Van Gerpen had the big bat in this game, connecting on two doubles that brought in two runners.  She also scored one run.  Payton Bamrick also hit a double.  She recorded one RBI and scored one run.  Jayden Hughes had two hits and scored one run.

Jacki Van Oort led the team in scoring with three runs.

The second game wasn’t as close, with North Iowa outscoring the Cardinals, 14-9.

GHV had a big third inning, scoring seven of their nine runs.  North Iowa collected 10 runs in the third and fourth innings to put the game out of reach for the Cardinals.

A highlight of the game was a homerun by Bamrick.  The hit brought in two runners. Van Gerpen had another good game, with two hits, one being a double.  Both players scored two runs apiece.