The Boone Central/Cedar Rapids softball team opened its 2008 fall season by splitting games in a triangular Thursday, Aug. 28, at the Albion Sports Complex. The Cardinals continued a busy initial week by competing in the Fillmore Central Invite at Geneva Saturday, posting a 1-2 record.
The Cardinals got their new season off to a rousing start with a 10-2 victory over Schuyler, then dropped a hard-fought 6-3 decision to a solid Cross County squad in the nightcap.
Boone Central broke open a taut pitching duel with six runs in the sixth inning and scored a 10-2 win over visiting Schuyler to open Thursday’s triangular.
“This was a good start to the season – a positive win,” said Card Coach Brandon Detlefson. “Our offense stepped up with nine hits and 10 runs.
“We are looking for several players to step up their hitting this year and it was nice to see this production.
“Missy Zoucha did an outstanding job pitching, giving up just one earned run and four hits. She set the tone for us defensively.”
Boone Central and Cross County were neck-and-neck in Thursday’s second game before a power outage – on the field and at the plate – doomed the Cards to a 6-3 defeat.
“Our offense was just starting to get rolling again until the power went out – literally,” Detlefson commented. “The field lights went out right in the middle of our having the bases loaded and having momentum.
“When the power was finally restored, the momentum shifted and we were not able to regain the lead.
“Overall, I was very pleased with our effort during the first night of action.”
Success and struggles.
The Boone Central softball team experienced some of both in its initial 2008 tournament Saturday at Fillmore Central.
The Cardinals dropped a 9-0 decision to a strong host team in their tourney opener, suffered a tough 4-0 loss to Twin River, then bounced back with a 5-1 victory over Thayer Central to wrap up the first week of the season with a 2-3 mark.
Boone Central was never able to get untracked against Fillmore Central, as Panther pitcher Maddy Emshoff twirled a no-hitter in a 9-0 win by the hosts.
Boone Central battled area rival Twin River tooth-and-nail before a controversial sixth inning sparked the Titans to a 4-0 victory.
The teams were scoreless through five innings, as BC pitcher Paige Kolm allowed just three hits and Twin River’s Chelsea Jones only a pair.
The Titans took advantage of four Boone Central errors in the sixth inning, three coming from a shaken team after Card catcher Emily Wells was seemingly interfered with and two Titans scored when Boone Central believed the ball to be dead.
In all, the Titans tallied three runs in the frame and made them stand up for the win.
Boone Central closed Saturday’s event with a solid 5-1 victory over Thayer Central, using some unique strategy.
“We played great defense behind a pitching experiment,” Detlefson said. “We had Missy and Paige switching back and forth every inning, the idea being to not allow hitters to get their timing down against one pitcher.
“This was also an example of timely hitting and good defense. Emily had a key hit late to break open scoring for us.”
Complete Details in Print Edition of Albion News.
