Hawks fall to Western Christian in Regional Tourney
Western Christian broke a scoreless tie with four runs in the sixth inning and went on to defeat Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn 5-1. The Class 2A Region 1 quarterfinal game was played July 5 at Hartley. HMS ends the season with a record of 12-14. This marked the sixth straight win for the Wolfpack, who improved to 11-11.
Hits were few in the game. The Hawks’ Gracie Knobloch allowed just four while Western Christian’s combo of starter Jaelyn De Jong and reliever Breya Van Kley yielded only three. Knobloch struck out eight batters and walked five. Two of the five Wolfpack runs were earned. HMS committed three errors while the visitors were guilty of just one.
Stephanie Bronstad spoke on the HMS softball season having come to an end. “Obviously not the way anyone wants it but the girls have made some huge strides this year,” noted the coach. “Gracie pitched well, had a few walks we didn’t need and the girls just didn’t bring the bats tonight. Defensively we have been a strong team this season and will focus on continuing to improve. We are looking forward to getting back into the swing of things with Fall Ball, winter workouts and focusing on filling our Senior Spots.
Seniors on this year’s team are Morgan Grooters, Cadence Klein and Abby Kunzman.
The Hawks standed a total of seven baserunners. They finished the first inning with two still aboard and then left the bases loaded in the third. The Wolfpack also had seven runners left aboard. That included two in the fourth inning and two more in the four-run sixth.
HMS finally got on the scoreboard in the sixth inning. Knobloch led things off with a double. She advanced to third on a passed ball. From there she was able to score on Abby Kunzman’s sacrifice fly to center. With two outs Delaney Murphy drew a walk but was forced out at second on a ground ball to the third baseman.
In the first inning Kamryn Ebel singled and Knobloch walked. Third-inning walks issued to Addy Sheeler, Ebel and Knobloch were mixed in with three strikeouts. Murphy doubled in the fourth but was caught off the bag. The fifth inning saw Kinsey Schirmer reach base on a two-out error but she was erased on a fielder’s choice.
WC 0 0 0 0 0 4 1 – 5
HMS 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 – 1