Fantastic finish, tough beginning

Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn experienced emotional highs and lows during the Class 1A regional softball tournament.

The Hawks enjoyed the thrill of victory after rallying in the seventh inning to defeat Harris-Lake Park, 8-7, on July 6 in Hartley.

The regional opener featured four lead changes, including two in the seventh inning as H-M-S and H-LP combined to score seven runs.

"The girls played a tough game down to the last play," said Hawk coach Stephanie Bronstad.

H-M-S took a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Gracie Knobloch drove in the first run with a single and then scored on a passed ball.

H-LP answered with two runs in the second inning, but the Hawks regained the lead when Morgan Grooters, running for Elle Mastbergen who had walked, scored on an error.

The score remained 3-2 until the fifth, when the Wolves tied the score. H-M-S broke the deadlock in the bottom of the inning as Taya Mason singled and then scored on a single by Mastbergen.

Knobloch gave the Hawks an insurance run in the sixth with a double to make the score 5-3. But H-M-S could not hold on to the lead. Despite having only one hit, H-LP scored four runs in the seventh to go ahead, 7-5.

Then it was the Wolves' turn to give up the lead. After a double by Mastbergen and a single by Eliza Tewes, Bailey VerHelst singled to drive in H-M-S's first run. A passed ball allowed Tewes to score the tying run. Kinsey Schirmer, running for VerHelst, advanced to third on a ground out by Jessica Riedemann. Abby Kunzman then laid down a bunt that was fielded by the third baseman. The throw was wide of first base, allowing Schirmer to score the run that gave H-M-S the regional victory.

"The girls hit the ball well when they needed to," Bronstad noted. "We made too many errors that almost cost us the game, but they fought back with the bats."

Knobloch, Mastbergen and VerHelst each finished with two hits, and Cadence Klein, Taya Mason, Riedemann and Tewes had one.

Knobloch was the winning pitcher. She allowed three hits, walked six and struck out two.

Harris-Lake Park ended its season with a record of 2-19.

H-M-S's fortunes took an early negative turn the next night against Akron-Westfield. The Westerners scored seven runs in the first inning, setting the tone for a 10-0 win at Akron.

"It was a tough night for the girls," Bronstad acknowledged. "Mentally we didn't play well and execute our offense."

Six hits, ranging from bunt singles to a double, three walks and two errors gave Akron-Westfield a 7-0 lead. Single runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings sealed the win.

Despite singles by Elle Mastbergen and Jessica Riedemann in the third inning and singles by Gracie Knobloch, Darby Mastbergen and Elle Mastbergen in the fourth, H-M-S failed to score. The Westerners threw out a runner at the plate in the fourth to preserve the shutout.

"We had a few hits, but couldn't produce them when needed," Bronstad said.

In the pitcher's circle, Knobloch allowed 10 hits and issued five walks.

The loss gave the Hawks a final record of 5-17 while Akron-Westfield improved to 24-2.

H-M-S will have to replace most of its infield in 2022, as pitcher/third baseman Taya Mason, shortstop Darby Mastbergen, catcher Elle Mastbergen and second baseman Jessica Riedemann complete their careers. Other seniors on the team were Paige Gehrke, Elly Klein and Maggie Ohrt.

"We're looking forward to working hard in the off season and making bigger gains next year," Bronstad said.