A chance to pull off an upset win and split a doubleheader in Cornbelt Conference softball escaped the grasp of Harris-Lake Park in dramatic fashion Friday night. The Wolves led first-place Woden-Crystal Lake-Titonka 9-7 entering the bottom of the seventh, and the Tigers were able to string together enough hits to plate three runs and grab a walk-off 10-9 victory. HLP jumped out early leading 6-2 after the first and maintained the advantage until the final half inning. Anna Brandt finished 4-for-4 with three runs scored and one driven in. Noreen Morrow went 2-for-3 with three RBI and a run scored. Macy Gunderson, who came in to relieve starter Lydia Brandt, took the loss despite striking out four batters and allowing six hits and four earned runs over four-plus innings. Game one of the twin bill saw WCLT use a nine-run fourth inning to pull away for a 12-1 victory in five innings. The Tigers are now 17-2 overall and 8-0 in the Cornbelt. Meanwhile, Harris-Lake Park drops to 4-12 on the season and 3-5 in league play. They will travel to Graettinger-Terril for another conference doubleheader on Monday.
Spirit Lake played host to LeMars on Friday in Lakes Conference softball, but was unable to secure the home win, falling 8-3. Sophomore Paige Krause hit two solo home runs for the Indians, giving her seven long balls this season. She also surrendered eleven hits and four walks, to go along with four strikeouts as the game’s losing pitcher. Amanda Bueltel drove in Alli Gerking for the other Indians’ run. Jordan Heidebrink dominated for the Bulldogs, scattering five Spirit Lake hits and striking out five. She also hit a two-run homer to help her own winning cause. Spirit Lake is now 15-4 overall and 4-3 in the Lakes Conference. They host Western Christian on Monday, and we’ll have that game live on KUOO Campus Radio and online at Network1Sports.com.
Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn came up just short against Marcus-Meridan-Cleghorn, taking a 4-3 setback Friday. The Hawks have now lost four straight to fall to 4-8 on the year and 2-6 in the War Eagle. HMS hosts Spalding Catholic on Monday.
Down at the Ft. Dodge softball tournament, Emmetsburg posted a 1-1 record on Friday. The E-Hawks lost 2-1 to Dowling Catholic, then put down Newell-Fonda 6-2. Emmetsburg has a 13-4 record on the season and will return to league play on Monday when they host Storm Lake, a game that will be live on Y100 and online at ExploreOkoboji.com.
