Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Seventh inning rally spoils upset bid in regional quarterfinal
Coach Carissa Post had plenty to cheer about after senior Hannah Jochims hit a 2-run homer in the seventh inning against River Valley.
Darby Mastbergen keeps the ball in her glove as she tags out a River Valley runner attempting to steal second base.
Trey Haag concentrates on the plate as she pitches in the regional quarterfinal against River Valley. The senior went the distance in the 5-4 loss.
"You deserve to win this game. Let's go!"
When Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn coach Carissa Post said that the Hawks were playing their best softball when it counted most – in postseason play against a state-ranked opponent.
The Hawks responded by taking a one-run lead in the top of the seventh inning, putting them on the brink of upsetting River Valley (1A No. 15). But the favored Wolverines answered the challenge and when the winning run crossed the plate to end the regional quarterfinal game, the Hawks learned that the team which deserves to win most isn't always the one that does.
"Wow! I cannot say more than that," Post said after the July 15 game at Correctionville. "We went up against a team that was 18-2 and were one out from winning. We almost made the biggest upset in softball in our area."
Elly Klein led off the seventh inning with a walk, bringing Hannah Jochims to the plate. The senior was hitless to that point but she made the most of her last swing by hitting a two-run homer to put H-M-S in front, 4-3.
The Hawks retired the first two River Valley batters on routine groundouts to put themselves just one out away from victory. But the next two Wolverine batters reached base on a double and a walk, and another double to the fence scored both runners and ended the Hawks' hopes of advancing to the regional semifinal.
"Coach [Stephanie] Bronstad and I could not be more proud of the girls' effort," Post said. "We had great pitching, awesome defense and several hits. It was the best ball the girls have played all season."
H-M-S scored the game's first run when Darby Mastbergen grounded out to drive in Cadence Klein in the second inning. River Valley matched that run in their half of the second. H-M-S went back in front in the third inning when Jessica Riedemann doubled and scored on a sacrifice fly by Brynn Webber.
The Wolverines retied the score in the third and took a 4-3 lead in the fifth.
In her final night in the pitcher's circle, senior Trey Haag allowed nine hits and five runs (all earned), walked two and struck out three. H-M-S committed just one error.
The Hawks' 2020 season ends with an overall record of 3-10. With only two graduating seniors, H-M-S potentially will have plenty of returning experience next summer.
