Co-op softball bounced by L/G, Northland Lutheran
By Nathaniel Underwood
The Colby/Abbotsford softball team fell in both their contests last week, losing on the road to Northland Lutheran before suffering a defeat at the hands of Loyal/ Greenwood at home. The pair of losses dropped the co-op squad to 0-5 so far this season.
Loyal/Greenwood, 17-2
In a matchup between two Cloverbelt-East rivals last Thursday in Colby, the Loyal/Greenwood co-op held the advantage in offensive firepower, racking up 17 hits and 17 runs to defeat Colby/Abby 172 in five innings.
The home team’s lineup was held to just two hits and two early runs and was unable to keep pace with the Loyal/Greenwood offense once it got rolling.
The Colby/Abby defense was able to hold their opponents to just a single run in the top of the first and then came through with a run of their own in the bottom half of the frame to knot things up. Leadoff hitter Lucia Perez was able to get on the basepaths and eventually came in to score as the home co-op was able to push her home.
A two-out inside the park home run from Loyal/Greenwood’s Liv Lucas put the visitors back on top in the second, scoring three runs in the inning, but Colby/ Abby kept things close. Elizabeth Perez led off the inning with a single and Audrey Fleischmann reached on an error by the visitors’ defense, giving the co-op runners on first and third with no outs. Perez was then able to score as Ella Schreiber hit into a fielders’ choice to make the score 4-2.
While Colby/Abby’s starting pitcher Tatum Bargender was able to keep the free passes to a minimum, allowing just two walks over her four innings of work, the visitors’ offense settled into a groove in the third. After an impressive catch in foul territory by Elizabeth Perez at third base to start the inning, Loyal/Greenwood collected eight straight hits and a walk, scoring six runs in the process.
The hits continued to pile up for the visitors with Loyal/Greenwood adding four more runs in the fourth and then picked up three more in the fifth. Colby/Abby’s lineup was unable to get to the visitor’s starting pitcher Reese Clintsman, who went all five innings for Loyal/Greenwood, allowing just two hits and three walks over the course of the contest.
Bargender and Elizabeth Perez had the only hits for Colby/Abby, the latter scoring one of co-op’s two runs. Lucia Perez had two walks and scored the other run. Nevaeh Treankler came on to pitch in the fifth inning, giving up three runs on one hit and three walks while striking out one batter.
Northland Lutheran, 9-5
A four-run first inning for the hosting Northland Lutheran squad was the difference maker last Tuesday evening as the Wildcats were able to hold off a late push from Colby/Abby to deal the co-op a 9-5 defeat.
The visitors were able to turn a leadoff hit-by-pitch taken by Lucia Perez into an early lead. Nevaeh Treankler immediately followed the at-bat with a double to give the co-op runners on second and third with no outs and Tatum Bargender came through to drive in Perez on a fielder's choice. Northland Lutheran managed to keep the damage to a minimum, however, holding Colby/Abby to just one run in the inning.
The Wildcats immediately answered by putting up a crooked number in the bottom half of the first. The home team collected
See C/A SOFTBALL/ Page 15
CATCHING THE INSIDE CORNER - Audrey Fleischmann frames a strike on the inside half of the plate during Colby/Abby’s conference game against Loyal/Greenwood.
STAFF PHOTO/NATHANIEL UNDERWOOD
RETURN TO SENDER - Elizabeth Perez barrels a pitch back up the middle for one of the co-op’s two hits last Thursday.
STAFF PHOTO/NATHANIEL UNDERWOOD C/A softball
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five hits in their first seven plate appearances and then collected two walks to drive in four runs in the inning. A two-run second inning expanded their lead further and by the fifth, Northland Lutheran held a 7-1 advantage.
Walks from Maria Saso and Perez gave the co-op a pair of baserunners in the fifth and Treankler was able to take advantage of the opportunity, smacking her second double of the day to knock in both teammates. A triple by Audrey Fleischmann drove in another run in the sixth and the sophomore catcher was able to score later in the inning on a wild pitch.
The four runs gave the co-op a chance, but the Wildcats were able to put up single runs in both the fifth and sixth to keep their opponents at an arm's length. The Northland Lutheran defense held in the top of the seventh, setting down Colby/Abby’s batters in order and sealing their 9-5 victory.
Ella Schreiber started on the mound for the co-op, surrendering six runs on seven hits and six walks over her three innings of work. Bargender then came in to relieve Schreiber, pitching the final four innings for Colby/Abby. She gave up three runs, only one of which was earned, on three hits and two walks while striking out one batter.
Treankler’s pair of doubles led the Colby/ Abby offense, the senior finishing 2for-3 from the plate with two RBIs. Fleischmann was 1-for-3 with an RBI triple and a run scored and Perez scored two runs. Kierslyn Orth finished with the coop’s only stolen base in the contest.
The co-op will host Gilman on Thursday afternoon still in search of their first win of the season. The Pirates are 5-3 this year and are coming off of a victory over the Owen-Withee Blackhawks on Tuesday evening. First pitch for the matchup between the two Cloverbelt-East squads is scheduled for 5 p.m.
