Teams heading in opposite directions

One team on a roll late in the season and another struggling down the stretch met in the quarterfinal round of the Class 2A regional softball tournament.

Western Christian, winners of five straight games, used a late-inning offensive surge to defeat Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn, 5-1, on July 5 in Hartley. It was the Hawks' fifth loss in six games, dropping their final record to 12-14.

Neither team could string together enough hits to score during the first five innings. H-M-S stranded two runners in the first inning and failed to take advantage of a bases-loaded situation in the third. The Wolfpack also failed to score despite having runners in scoring position in the third and fourth innings.

That changed in the sixth inning, when Western Christian loaded the bases and scored their first run on an error. The Wolfpack then combined a two-out RBI single with another error to build a 4-0 lead.

H-M-S scored its run in the bottom of the sixth. Gracie Knobloch led off with a double, advanced to third on a passed ball and scored on a sacrifice fly by Abby Kunzman.

The Wolfpack added a run in the seventh to close out the scoring.

"Obviously not the way anyone wants it, but the girls have made some huge strides this year," said Hawk coach Stephanie Bronstad. "Gracie pitched well but had a few walks, and the girls just didn't bring the bats."

The Hawks were limited to doubles by Delaney Murphy and Knobloch, and a single by Kamryn Ebel.

Knobloch was the losing pitcher. She allowed four hits, walked five and struck out eight. H-M-S was charged with three errors.

With the win, Western Christian (11-11) advanced to the regional semifinal where they lost to North Union, 8-0.