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HARTINGTON — Softball is back in Hartington and the 18U and 12U teams were busy making things happen as they try to follow up an impressive 2022 summer with an encore.
The 18U defeated Verdigre 6-5 at home while dropping a 7-6 contest in Osmond.
Head coach Brice Grutsch said the bats took some time to get going and when they did it came in the fourth inning against Veridgre when Hartington got four runs and then pitcher Alexys Hahne battened down the hatches with a solid 10 strikeout performance.
“That kept us in the game till we got our bats going,” Grutsch said. “Offensively, Mani Lange had a nice game going 2-for-2 with a triple and a double. In the last inning we had a couple errors and Verdigre threatened but we got away with a win.
“Osmond was the opposite. Ours bats started hot and cooled down late in the game. We had a 6-2 lead but after a couple walks and timely hits by Osmond it was tied in the last inning.”
Hartington stranded Lange at third in the top half of the inning. Then Osmond got a walk to get the winning run on base which ultimately saw the batter end up on second after a steal.
Ultimately Osmond scored despite some great efforts by the Hartington defense to get out of the frame unscathed.
“Alexys had another good night pitching with another 10 strikeouts and offensively Olivia Grutsch had a good night reaching base all three times with two hits and a walk,” the Hartington coach said. “Cohen Paden also had a good night going 2-for-3.
I’m happy with where we are so far this year. I was hopeful we could improve our batting from last year and so far it seems we have. If we can get still a little better yet I think we’ll be competitive in most every game we play in.”
Olivia Grutsch said the team picked up from last year’s season-ending positive momentum.
“The bats were going and the fielding was really good,” she said. “Then our second game we had really good defense that game. That game came down to the last inning and we lost by one, but our batting was really good and has been a major part of starting off stronger this year.
“I think our offense is like our strong suit this year compared to last year. Our defense stayed the same from last year. But I think we’re more of an offensive team this year.”
Olivia Grutsch said that with all but two girls back from a state team that has also benefited the team.
“Last year showed us we can actually do it and give us a little confidence boost,” she said.
The 12U also played the same two teams but they won 15-2 over Verdigre and 15-11 against Osmond.
The runs tended to come more through sparse hitting, walks and defensive errors.
“I thought the girls did a nice job running the bases,” Brice Grutsch said. “That’s always pretty important to me in this age group. I like to be aggressive running the bases. The older second-year 12s are doing a real good job with it and the younger girls are catching on quick. I also thought our fielding was better in the second game than the first. So that’s a nice sign. Hopefully it’ll continue to improve.
Kiersten Hans stood out for the team at pitcher according to the coach.
“She’s our anchor in the pitching department while the other pitchers continue to improve and contribute when needed,” Brice Grutsch said.
Other results: The 6U team played for the first time in Osmond, but no score was kept. The two 8U teams played last week, one at home against Verdigre and the other on the road at Osmond. No score was kept … The 10U girls hosted Verdigre and traveled to Osmond winning both, but no scores were provided.
COMING UP: The 18U played Tuesday against Creighton and then take part in the District tune-up tournament over the weekend in Norfolk before coming back home Tuesday to play Laurel. The 12U squad will play Bloomfield at home Wednesday and then host Ponca for two Tuesday. The 10, 8 and 6U teams all played host to Wausa Tuesday, with the older two hosting Laurel next Tuesday with Bloomfield and the 8U girls dueling in Hartington Wednesday.
