GHV records four more wins to end regular season

[caption id="attachment_11326" align="alignleft" width="270"] The whole GHV team turned out to help Mackenzie Van Gerpen celebrate after smacking a home run against Lake Mills on Friday, July 3. The Cardinals topped the Bulldogs, 16-9. -Reporter photo by Chris Barragy[/caption]

The Garner-Hayfield/Ventura softball team picked up four more wins last week to wrap up the regular season.

North Iowa 14, GHV 13

GHV 13, North Iowa 1

GHV split a pair of games with North Iowa on Monday, June 29, in North Iowa Conference action.  The Bison picked up the first win in a nail-biter, 14-13.  The Cardinals dominated the second game, 13-1.

Both teams had hot bats in the opening game, with GHV connecting on 12 hits and North Iowa on 13.

Mackenzie Van Gerpen was the hero of the game with a grand slam that brought in three runners.  She also scored two runs.  Tiara Van Gerpen also had a good game at the plate, connecting on two hits, recording three RBIs and scoring two runs.  Miranda Jackson had two hits, one being a double, and she brought in three runners.

The Cardinals once again dominated in the stolen bases category.  Tiara Van Gerpen and Brooklyn Ossman had four stolen bases apiece, while Katie Oetken and Brooklynn Laird had three and two respectively.

Pitching duties were split between Bailee Pitzenberger, who pitched a majority of the game, and Sydney Childress and Ossman.  Pitzenberger struck out four and walked three.  She gave up 10 hits and 12 runs.

“The best part of the night was how well we responded to the loss,” said Coach Christina Weiser.  “The girls came out and played hard and put together a solid game in gaining a run-rule victory in game two.”

The nightcap game was all GHV, as they dominated in all categories.  The game came down to what was going on on the mound.  Ossman pitched a great game for the Cards, allowing only three hits and one run.  North Iowa’s pitchers had a tough night, walking 10 batters.  GHV only managed five hits, but amassed 13 runs.

Mackenzie Van Gerpen did it again in game two and sent the ball soaring for her second homer of the night.  The grand slam brought in five runners for the Cards.  Also collecting a hit apiece was Mallory Van Oort, Katie Oetken, Megan Oetken and Miranda Jackson.

Tiara Van Gerpen and Mallory Van Oort recorded two RBIs apiece.

Brooklyn Ossman literally took one for the team, as she got hit by a pitch seven times in a row at-bat between the two games.

GHV 6, Rockford 1

The game was won in the third inning, when the Cardinals sent eight batters to the plate and scored five runs in the 6-1 victory over Rockford on Tuesday, June 30.

“It wasn’t our prettiest game, but the kids did everything they needed to do in a late season non-conference game,” said Weiser.

Pitzenberger had a good night in the circle, throwing four strikes, walking three and only giving up three hits and one run.

Tiara Van Gerpen led the offense with two hits, two runs and three stolen bases.  Collecting a single each was Miranda Jackson, Mackenzie Van Gerpen and Pitzenberger.  Payton Bamrick, Mackenzie Van Gerpen, Mallory Van Oort and Grace Tusha each had RBIs.

Eagle Grove 4, GHV 3

The final North Iowa Conference match-up against Eagle Grove on Wednesday, July 1, was an important one for the Cardinals, as it was key in the final standings.  Unfortunately for GHV, the Eagles came up with one more clutch hit to win the contest, 4-3.

The Cards managed seven hits in the game.  Tusha had a strong night at the plate, getting two hits, knocking in two runs and scoring a run of her own.  Collecting one single apiece was Ossman, Van Oort, Mackenzie Van Gerpen, Katie Oetken and Miranda Jackson.

Ossman was the losing pitcher.  She struck out two batters and walked one.  She allowed eight hits.

“Our kids played a very focused seven-inning game and competed at every turn.  We just ended up one run short,” said Weiser.

GHV 12, West Hancock 2

The Cardinals posted their second run-rule victory on Thursday, July 2, when they traveled to West Hancock.  GHV dominated in a 12-2 victory.

Ossman was swinging a hot bat Thursday night, as she connected for three hits and drove in five runs.  Jackson also had a good night, connecting on four hits.  Mallory Van Oort and Bamrick each had two hits.  Mackenzie Van Gerpen hit a double that drove in two runners.

Tiara Van Gerpen used her speed to steal two bases, which allowed her to score two runs.  Also scoring two runs each was Oetken and Jayden Hughes.

Ossman captured the win.  She threw one strike and walked five.  She allowed six hits.

GHV 16, Lake Mills 9

GHV hosted the conference finale on Friday, July 3, when Lake Mills came to town.

“Our kids swung the bats tremendously well, tying the school record with 21 hits in the victory,” said Weiser.

The Cardinals topped the Bulldogs, 16-9, in the NIC showdown.

Mackenzie Van Gerpen was on fire Friday night, smacking a home run and a double.  She collected a total of four hits, three RBIs and scored three runs.  Bamrick was also hot, with five hits, one being a double.  She had two RBIs and scored one run.  Tiara Van Gerpen had four hits, scored four runs and led the team with three stolen bases.  Jackie Van Oort also stole three bases and she scored three runs.

Ossman pitched all seven innings, striking out two and walking two.  She gave up 14 hits.

“We finished the season in the top half of the NIC and have put up some of the best numbers statistically in the school’s history,” said Weiser.

The Cardinals finished the regular season and will face a tough Algona team in the first round of 3A Region 2 softball action tonight (Wednesday, July 8).  The game will be played in Garner at 7 p.m.