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HARTINGTON — It was a tournament weekend for the Hartington 12U and 18U softball teams as they entered the district fray.
Once they left it, they were both state tournament qualified.
The tournament started for the 18s on Friday in Ponca and started off with a disappointing 5-4 loss to Wakefield.
Hartington led 4-2 when the time expired and only needed to register three outs, but just couldn’t close the deal.
“The game was tied and we needed two out to keep playing,” Hartington coach Bryce Grutsch said. “We got one, then another walk or two loaded the bases. The next batter was hit by pitch and we walked Wakefield’s winning run in - tough loss. We played pretty well overall just didn’t quite finish.”
The next day, South Sioux City fell to a fired up Hartington squad, 17-3.
Olivia Grutsch and Alexys Hahne led from the circle.
The local girls followed that up with a 7-5 defeat to Crofton.
“We felt like our pitching was ok,” Coach Grutsch said. “Overall, we’re happy with where the 18’s team is at. Things are starting to come together and despite losing a few games we felt like we could’ve won, we’ve done enough to qualify for Class D state. If we keep working and building, I think we’ll have a good season and can compete well at state.”
The 12U started tourney play against Osmond and won 15-11.
“It appeared like the girls played really nervous or tight in the game but Kiersten Hans pitched for us and did a good job,” Bryce Grutsch said. “There were a lot of walks by both teams, which led to a pretty high scoring game. Overall, I was just happy to see them get a win and was hopeful after the first game maybe we’d loosen up a little and play more up to our ability level.”
They followed that up with a 17-6 loss to Atkinson as Hans pitched and threw strikes, but the victors were able to get the ball in play.
“Our fielding really struggled and we just let too many hits that should have been outs get on base,” the coach said. “That paired with girls not swinging bats led to a pretty lopsided score. It was a little disappointing but all things we can get corrected in the upcoming weeks.”
They wrapped the tournament with a 13-11 loss to Wakefield as Ella Kelly worked the circle for Hartington.
“She did a nice job throwing strikes and making Wakefield put the ball in play,” Grutsch said. “Our overall hustle was better in the game but we still just had too many mistakes. We also started swinging the bats a little better that game too. We got to the last inning down by a lot and made a nice push at the end but came up short.
“I wish I’d have taken them to a tournament before districts. I think we would have had a better showing if we would have played in a tournament and felt the pressure that comes with them beforehand. We are a pretty young 12’s team and just need to continue to see things and learn from them. They’ll continue to improve and I think will be happy with the season when it’s over and they look back on it.”
The 12U team has also qualified for the Class D state field.
Grutsch admits “it’s not really hard to make state,” noting the key is competing well and getting at least one win at the district tournament, “That’s kind of where the Hartington softball program is right now,” he said. “We’re building and are getting to the point where we can compete at a Class D level. Down the road hopefully we’re playing at a Class C level but these are all good steps to take along the way. So, I like where we’re at and the direction the whole program is going. We take steps forward every year.”
Earlier in the week, the 10U squad dropped a 7-4 decision to Laurel on Tuesday while the 18Us rolled 14-2.
“Alexys pitched well and there weren’t a lot of errors,” Bryce Grutsch said. “Our bats were a little slow to get started but by the second time through the order we were getting some good swings. That, coupled with a few Laurel errors that we capitalize on helped us get a comfortable win.”
Two days later, Ponca beat the 18U squad 13-2.
“I’d hoped to play conservative and not risk anything but still have a good competitive game and that obviously didn’t work,” the Penguins coach said. “It was a bad coaching decision by me is the only thing to blame. I should have handled it better.”
The 12U squad played Ponca in two doubleheaders, with the team split into younger and older players. The younger squad dropped 9-8 decisions.
“We took the chance to pitch four pitchers that haven’t had the opportunity to pitch in a game yet,” Grutsch said. “I was happy with that young group, they are learning fast to get better every game.”
The older group won 8-1 in Hartington and 6-3 in Ponca on Thursday with Hans leading from the circle.
“In the second game in Ponca, Ponca also had a good pitcher that had good speed and threw strikes,” Grutsch said. “I thought our batters did a good job fighting and finding a way to get on base even if it was a walk. Once they got on base, they did a really good job base running and we got a good win out of it.
“I’ve been really proud of how well the 12’s team is coming together. They’re young but they don’t let it get in the way. They just find a way to compete every game. Their 6-1 record through the first few weeks of the season shows it.”
