Errors cost the Knights

Cornell-Lake Holcombe senior Candice Spaeth covered home plate, as a Prairie Farm runner came in to score a run, May 8. Photo by Ginna Young

By Ginna Young

A four-game week took its toll on the Cornell-Lake Holcombe softball program, as some basics slipped through the cracks.

May 6 vs. Northwood-Solon Springs conference (L 15-0)

The Knights were at Northwood, for a game that saw them have a hard time getting the opposition out in each of the three opening innings. Despite that, the home team was only up, 1-0, but after that, their bats came to life and Northwood took the win, 15-0.

“Northwood-Solon Springs started to put the bat on the ball and our mistakes compounded into a bunch of runs,” said coach Andy Lorenzen. “The majority of our errors were on allowing extra bases and throwing mistakes.”

Senior Candice Spaeth was on the mound, giving up 12 hits, 15 runs and 5 walks.

Offensively, coming up with the only hits for the night, were senior Alyssa Bowe, and sophomore Chloe Irwin and Kyleigh Mercer, who each had a hit.

“It is hard to win when you give good teams extra bases,” said Lorenzen.

May 8 vs. Prairie Farm conference (W 8-5)

Just a couple days later, the Knights hosted Prairie Farm, getting out in front right away. By the end of the fourth inning, the Knights were up, 7-2 over the Panthers, but in the sixth inning, Prairie Farm added three runs to the board to close the gap.

The Knights refused to go down and held on, to claim an 8-5 victory.

“We were able to make all the routine plays and came up with some clutch hitting, to get the conference win,” said Lorenzen.

Spaeth was again at the helm, going all seven innings and allowing 6 hits, 5 runs and striking out 3.

Senior Bralee Schroeder and junior Faith Heinzen led, with 3 hits each, while Irwin and Bowe had 2 hits each.

May 10 vs. Hurley conference (L 18-0)

The Knights were then in Gilman, for a weekend tournament, but offense wasn’t there and the first game went to Hurley, 18-0.

“Costly errors and allowing extra bases was our downfall for the weekend,” said Lorenzen.

Again on the mound, was Spaeth, who went five innings, giving up 13 hits, 18 runs, 6 walks and striking out 2.

On offense, Schwingle had the lone run for the Knights.

May 10 vs. Gilman non-conference (L 10-0)

Next up, the Knights faced the host team, but again, were unable to get any offense going and Gilman took the win, 10-0.

Spaeth went all five innings, allowing 11 hits, 10 runs, 5 walks and striking out 2 batters.

Heinzen added 2 hits to the mix, while Schwingle, senior Richelle Raether, Spaeth and Bowe all chipped in with a hit.

“We played some good competition and it never ends well, when you give good teams extra bases or don’t make the routine plays,” said Lorenzen.