SOFTBALL

EG Loses Heartbreaker to WCV

A trip to Stuart on Thursday, July 2, resulted in a tough 2-1 loss to West Central Valley, leaving the Hawkettes mired at the bottom of the West Central Conference standings at 2-15.

EG had a good defensive outing, limiting the Wildcats to just the 2 runs off 3 hits, despite giving up 6 walks. WCV’s Molly Cox proved to be formidable on the mound though, as she gave up just 4 hits while striking out 12 Hawkette batters. Cox didn’t get much defensive backup from her teammates as WCV committed 5 errors.

It was not a good week all around for the Hawkettes as they got thumped by Coon Rapids-Bayard 12-3 on Tuesday, June 30, and Guthrie Center got the measure of EG with a 13-1 pasting called after 3 innings the previous night. Guthrie pounded out 14 hits in that game.

The Hawkettes had generated some momentum just the week before, winning 3 out of 4 games including solid wins over conference foes Madrid and Panorama. The Hawkettes fell to league-leader Earlham 10-0 on June 22 but came back two nights later to win 7-6 over Rockwell City-Lytton in non-conference action on the road.

EG lost another close one to Des Moines Christian the following night, Thursday, June 25. EG had played DMC tough on the Lions’ home field in Urbandale on June 4, dropping a well-played 6-3 game and was ready for some payback when DMC headed north to Grand Junction.

The Lions, who made it the state tournament the last two years and finished as runner-up game to Madrid in the conference last year, were contending for the league crown again this year. DMC was just a half game behind Glidden-Ralston going in to the EG game.

Despite racking up 15 hits in the game, the Hawkettes fell 8-7. DMC shortstop Hannah Heilskov drove in the winning run with a single in the top of the seventh. The Lions’ Britt Schoon notched her third home run of the season in the game.

Ashley Thorpe was pitched 4 innings and Malarie Gilley was on the mound for 3. Combined, they gave up 9 hits and 5 walks, while striking out 3. Gilley was 3-4 at the plate while Heidi Kiner went 2-3. Katylnn Gannon and Molly Neese were both 2-4 with 2 RBI’s apiece.

The win over RC-L helped up the Hawkettes overall win tally. Heading into tonight’s game at Glidden-Ralston the Hawkettes are 4-17.