Softball bats come to life against Wolves
H-M-S also loses twice to rated teams in season's first week
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MIKE PETERSEN/SENTINEL-NEWS
Aggressive base running by Jasmine Lux and the rest of the Hawks contributed to 19 runs in their win over H-LP.
After going hitless in the first game of the 2020 season, the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn softball team's bats came to life during a 19-0 triumph over Harris-Lake Park on June 17.
"What a great win for the girls," said Hawk coach Carissa Post. "It was much-needed after a season-opening loss against West Sioux."
Every H-M-S batter had at least one hit, including three by Brynn Webber. Among them was an inside-the-park homerun that wrapped up the scoring in the third inning.
Hannah Jochims added a double and a single, and Bailey VerHelst hit two singles and drove in two runs. Jasmine Lux also had two RBI.
"We had a great night with the bats," Post acknowledged.
The Hawks were also aggressive on the base paths, stealing 13 bases and advancing to the next base when opportunities arose. Elly Klein, VerHelst and Jessica Riedemann had three steals and Webber had two.
H-M-S took a 7-0 lead in the first inning. Following a single run in the second inning, the Hawks clinched the big win by scoring 11 runs in the third.
The Wolves were held hitless by Hawk pitcher Trey Haag, who walked one and struck out two. H-LP's only scoring threat occurred in the opening inning when they put two runners on base.
• vs. West Sioux
In their opening game on June 15 the Hawks faced state-ranked West Sioux. The visiting Falcons got off to a fast start and never looked back to earn a 12-0 win.
"They are one of the top teams in the conference and the state, and they showed it," Post said.
West Sioux came out swinging in the first inning and scored nine runs. They added three runs in the third.
Starting pitcher Trey Haag allowed nine runs and six hits while Taya Mason gave up three runs and walked four.
Post said H-M-S had some good plays defensively, including a nice catch by first baseman Bailey VerHelst.
Offensively the Hawks were held hitless. Hannah Jochims, Jessica Riedemann and Mason each drew a walk.
• vs. Gehlen Catholic
H-M-S had to make two trips to LeMars last week to play one game. Rain washed out the first attempt to play Gehlen Catholic on Thursday, so the Hawks went back to LeMars on Friday to play their second rated opponent (No. 8 1A) in three games.
While the Jays won the game, 9-1, there were bright spots for H-M-S.
MIKE PETERSEN/SENTINEL-NEWS
Shortstop Darby Mastbergen ranges into short leftfield to make the catch in H-M-S's win over the Wolves.
"Our team defensively played their hearts out," Post said. "We had five errors that cost us a couple of runs, but overall the performance from the team on the field was one of the best I have seen."
She was also pleased with the performance of pitcher Taya Mason who faced a lineup with five players hitting near or above .400. Mason gave up 10 hits, walked one and struck out three.
Gehlen Catholic scored four runs in the first inning, a run in the second and two runs each in the fourth and fifth innings.
H-M-S's only hit was a single by Jessica Riedemann in the sixth inning. She scored after a couple of errors by Gehlen Catholic and a walk by Brynn Webber.
H-M-S (1-2, 1-2) hosts Akron-Westfield, another rated team (No. 10 1A), on June 25, South O'Brien on June 29 and Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire on June 30. The Hawks will also play at Hinton on July 1.
