Eureka’s softball team moved to 2-1 last Thursday, April 3, after claiming a 7-6 victory over the Patriots of West Elk.
The teams went back and forth in the first two innings before the Tornadoes claimed the lead in the third after Lady Tornado Miley Baumgartel doubled on a hard ground ball and scored Arabella Shepherd. Both teams showcased their defense in the next two innings, holding both teams scoreless in the fourth and fifth innings.
In the sixth, the Lady Patriots were able to score Lillian Triboulet and Emma Arbuckle to lead 6-5; but, the Lady Tornadoes answered back with two runs of their own as they scored Baumgartel and Madelyn Miller for Eureka to reclaim the lead. The Patriots had one atbat remaining; however, Eureka’s third baseman, Laynie Winfrey, was sure to stop them in their trek to a comeback as she caught two pop flies and tagged an advancing runner after Trinity Samuels fielded the ball, for the final out of the game.
Raylee Boles opened the game for Eureka. She surrendered seven hits and seven runs over six and two-thirds innings, striking out three and walking nine. Ava Denton stepped in the circle first for the Patriots. She surrendered 11 hits and seven runs (five earned) over six innings, striking out five and walking two.
The Lady Tornadoes tallied 11 hits in the game. Miller provided pop in the middle of the lineup, and led Eureka with three runs batted in. The catcher went 2-for-4 on the day. Miller, Keira Crisswell, Baumgartel and Winfrey each collected two hits for the Tornadoes. Crisswell stole two bases. Eureka ran wild on the base paths, accumulating nine stolen bases for the game.
Emily Mott led West Elk with three runs batted in. The center fielder went 1-for-4 on the day. Maggie Denton led the Patriots with two hits in three at-bats from the leadoff position. The team had patience at the plate, tallying nine walks for the game.
In junior varsity action, the Lady Patriots claimed a 12-5 victory over the Tornadoes. Up Next
Eureka is slated to travel to Flinthills on Thursday, April 10 for varsity and junior varsity games. Games are scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. The Lady Tornadoes will return to Eureka on Tuesday, April 15, against Humboldt.
West Elk will compete at South Sumner on Monday, April 14, before hosting Udall on Thursday, April 17.
