Warrior softball team loses multiple games in walk-off fashion
Katelyn Scherf prepares to fire home a pitch in Central’s doubleheader versus NFV last week. (Photos by Bev Hamann)
Gracie Cummer went 1 for 3 with a single in game one of a doubleheader against the TigerHawks.
Left fielder Reese Berns throws the ball to the infield in game one of Central's doubleheader versus NFV last week.
Shortstop Delaney Scherf catches a pop up versus Maquoketa Valley.
By Willis Patenaude, Times-Register
The Central Warriors had a packed schedule of softball last week that included six games, all as part of doubleheaders. Though the Warriors were in a couple one-run games, they ended the week without a win.
The Warriors started the week at home on June 12, versus North Fayette Valley. While they took an early 1-0 lead, the TigerHawks quickly responded with four runs in the bottom of the first and went on to score in every inning but the fifth. Central added a run in the third inning, but lost 16-2.
The Warriors put up seven hits—six singles and one double. Taylor Moser went 2 for 4 with a single and double, stolen base and two runs scored, while Delaney Scherf and Katelyn Scherf each earned a hit and Ashlyn Scherf finished with an RBI. Reese Berns also went 2 for 3 with two singles.
It was Katelyn Scherf on the mound, going all seven innings and giving up 17 hits, one walk and 13 earned runs.
In game two, the Warriors were able to get more going on offense, putting up two runs in the third and seventh innings, but the TigerHawks scored 10, handing Central its second loss of the week.
Offensively, Central came away with five hits, two from Berns, who also scored two runs and finished with an RBI. Moser went 1 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored, while Mackayla Vlazny was 1 for 2 with a walk and one run scored.
Moser pitched a complete game five hitter that included 10 walks and nine earned runs.
In the second doubleheader of the week, the Warriors lost both games to Turkey Valley in heartbreaking, walk-off fashion.
In game one, Central took an early 3-1 lead and pushed it to 4-1 after two innings. The Trojans tallied three runs in the third and fourth innings, but the Warriors added four more in the fifth, taking an 8-7 lead. Both teams scored in the sixth, with the Warriors putting up three and the Trojans four, and they went to the seventh tied 11-11.
However, the Warriors were unable to score in the top of the seventh, and in the bottom half of the inning, the Trojans squeaked a run across, handing Central a 12-11 loss.
The Warriors finished with six hits, 11 walks and two strikeouts, while batting .222 and stealing three bases. No individual stats were provided for this game.
In game two, the Warriors fell behind 4-1, but in the sixth inning, added three runs to close the gap to 5-4. Central briefly tied the game 5-5 in the top of the seventh, but in the bottom of the inning, the Trojans drove a run across the plate for another walk-off win.
The Warrior offense totaled 10 hits, one walk and four strikeouts, but no individual stats were available.
Central finished the week at home versus Maquoketa Valley on June 16. The score was tied 2-2 in game one, until the Warriors put up two runs in the bottom of the fifth. They lost the lead in the top of the sixth when the Wildcats scored three runs. Maq Valley added two more in the seventh, and the Warriors’ attempted rally fell one run shy, as they lost another close one, 7-6.
The Warriors hit a combined .182, with six hits, two walks and four strikeouts.
In game two, the Warriors couldn’t keep pace with the offensive output of the Wildcats, and lost 12-1. Central had just one hit and batters struck out eight times.
The Warriors (3-12) will look to snap their seven-game losing streak with a pair of double-headers this week, starting June 19 versus MFL MarMac. On June 21, Central will face Kee. Finally, on June 24, the Warriors are scheduled to participate in the Decorah Softball Tournament.
