One drought comes to an end

Trailing by three runs and down to their last at-bat, Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn's softball team scored four times in the seventh inning to win at Emmetsburg, 7-6. The non-conference win on June 15 was the Hawks' first since the opening week of the season.

"The girls played a tough game. They battled each inning defensively and offensively, and never gave up," said Hawk coach Stephanie Bronstad. "We had a few errors but came back with the bats."

A first-inning run gave Emmetsburg the lead. H-M-S answered with Elle Mastbergen's solo home run in the second inning. Taya Mason followed that with a double and scored on a single by Elly Klein.

The E-Hawks scored two runs in the second to retake the lead and H-M-S tied the score at 3-3 in the third. It remained tied until the sixth when Emmetsburg scored three times.

The Hawks' comeback started in the seventh with a double by Gracie Knobloch. Darby Mastbergen singled, Elle Mastbergen doubled and Mason and Eliza Tewes both singled to tie the score. Tewes would later score the go-ahead run.

Emmetsburg had the tying run on base in the seventh, but the Hawks retired the final three hitters to preserve the win.

Knobloch was the winning pitcher. She gave up nine hits, walked three and struck out four.

• vs. West Sioux

Thirteen hits, nearly half of which came in their final at-bat, propelled H-M-S to a 10-7 home win over West Sioux on June 18.

The first five hitters in the lineup combined for 12 hits. Elly Klein was 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI; Gracie Knobloch was 3-for-3 with a double; Elle Mastbergen was 2-for-4 with three RBI; and Darby Mastbergen and Jessica Riedemann were also 2-for-4. Taya Mason had the Hawks' other hit.

H-M-S took a 4-0 lead in the third inning, only to see West Sioux cut it to one in the fourth and tie the score in the fifth.

The Hawks went back in front with two runs in the fifth and four runs in the sixth.

The Falcons scored two runs in the seventh and were threatening for more, but the Hawks were able to preserve the win.

Knobloch pitched the complete game. She allowed 10 hits, walked four and struck out six.

• vs. Remsen St. Mary's

The Hawks put the ball in play against Remsen St. Mary's on June 14, but could not string their hits together in a 10-0 loss at Remsen.

St. Mary's scored twice in the first and second innings, doubled the score with four runs in the fifth and sealed the win with two runs in the sixth.

H-M-S had several chances to avoid the shutout but could not get any runners home.

"The girls played very well. They hit the ball hard, just not quite at the right time," Bronstad said.

Gracie Knobloch was 2-for-3, Darby Mastbergen was 2-for-4, and Elle Mastbergen, Cadence Klein and Abby Kunzman were all 1-for-3.

Taya Mason was the losing pitcher, allowing nine hits while walking two.

• vs. Gehlen Catholic

H-M-S could not sustain the momentum of their win over Emmetsburg, losing at home to Gehlen Catholic, 12-0, on June 16.

The Hawks got off to a rocky start which allowed the Jays to score two runs.

"I had moved a few players due to injuries and the nerves hurt us," Bronstad noted.

Gehlen Catholic scored two runs in the fourth inning, three runs in the fifth and three more in the sixth.

Taya Mason gave up 10 hits, walked three and struck out two.

"Taya pitched a great game, but unfortunately they hit the ball well and we didn't execute our offense and defense like we needed to," Bronstad said.

Offensively, Elly Klein and Eliza Tewes had the only hits.

H-M-S (3-11, 2-5) hosts MMCRU on June 25, and finishes the regular season on the road at South O'Brien on June 28, GT/RA on June 29 and Trinity Christian on June 30.

The Hawks will also play in the Okoboji tournament on Saturday. They are scheduled to play Sioux Central at 11 a.m. Consolation and championship games are scheduled for 1 and 3 p.m.