The Hartley Sentinel-The Everly/Royal News - Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties

South O'Brien scored eight runs in the final two innings to hand Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn's softball team a 9-2 loss on June 1 in Hartley.

The Wolverines, who scored the game's first run in the third inning, scored three runs in the sixth to take the lead. South O'Brien then mixed a two-run single, an RBI double, three walks, a hit batter and an error to score five runs in the final inning.

"We played well," said Hawk coach Stephanie Bronstad. "We still have that one-third of the inning we need to buckle down on."

Offensively the Hawks were retired in order the first three innings. They broke the scoreless string in the fifth. After a walk to Darby Mastbergen and a single by Jessica Riedemann, Cadence Klein grounded out to drive in the first run and Eliza Tewes singled to add the go-ahead run.

Despite getting four runners on base, including Gracie Knobloch with a double, H-M-S failed to score in the sixth. The Hawks also stranded two runners in the seventh.

"The team didn't hit as well as we hoped when we needed it," Bronstad said.

In the pitcher's circle, Knobloch allowed nine hits and five walks while striking out 11.

• vs. Trinity Christian

One inning again proved to be the Hawks' nemesis during a 14-6 loss to Trinity Christian, on June 2 in Hartley.

Trinity Christian took the lead with a three-run homer in the third inning and added two runs in the fourth. H-M-S answered in their half of the fourth with three runs on singles by Jessica Riedemann and Darby Mastbergen, and a passed ball.

The Tigers broke the game open in the fifth when they sent 13 batters to the plate, eight of whom scored. They also had four hits in that inning.

Trailing 13-3, the Hawks kept the game going by scoring twice in the fifth on an RBI single by Eliza Tewes and an error. Both teams scored once in the seventh. The Hawks' run came on a double by Riedemann.

At the plate, Mastbergen was 3-for-4, Riedemann was 2-for-4 with two RBI, and Abby Kunzman was 2-for-3.

Taya Mason pitched a total of six innings and was charged with the loss. She allowed six hits, walked four and struck out 11. Knobloch gave up three hits and two walks.

• vs. Gehlen Catholic

Gehlen Catholic jumped out to a quick lead and went on to hand H-M-S an 8-3 loss, on June 4 at LeMars.

Following a run in the first inning, the Jays batted through the order in the second and scored five runs. They extended their advantage to 8-0 with single runs in the fourth and fifth innings.

MIKE PETERSEN/SENTINEL-NEWS

Darby Mastbergen connects for an RBI single in the Hawks' game with Trinity Christian. She finished with three hits in the contest.

H-M-S only had two base runners through five innings. In the sixth, the Hawks got on the scoreboard with a two-run double by Taya Mason. They closed out the scoring in the seventh with a run on Gracie Knobloch's single.

Eliza Tewes was 2-for-3 and Elle Mastbergen, Cadence Klein and Mason were all 1-for-3. Darby Mastbergen also hit a double.

Knobloch pitched the first 3-1/3 innings, giving up eight hits, seven runs and six walks. Mason finished the game, allowing two hits while walking three.

H-M-S (1-4, 1-1) hosts Unity Christian on June 11, plays at Remsen St. Mary's on June 14 and Emmetsburg on June 15, and hosts a rematch with Gehlen Catholic on June 16.

The Hawks will also play in the South O'Brien tournament on June 12. Following the South O'Brien vs. Sioux Central game at 10 a.m., H-M-S takes on Ridge View at 11:30. The losers meet at 1 p.m. and the winners play at 2:30.