The Cardinal softball team hosted its annual Boone Central Invitational Saturday at the Albion Sports Complex, but had a difficult time against stiff competition.
Boone Central saw a continuing trend of “competing hard, but struggling to get over the hump” as the Cards lost three games and fell to 0-7 overall.
BC opened the tourney with a hard-luck 7-2 loss to Cross County.
The Cardinals took a 2-0 lead first-inning lead, Marissa Koch doubling and scoring and McKenzie Mescher coming home after reaching on a single.
Boone Central held a 2-1 edge until the Cougars put together a four-run third inning, the big blow a bases-loaded triple by Jess Ostermeier.
Boone Central had a tough time in its second game of the day as state-ranked Twin River rolled to a 12-0 decision in three innings.
“The girls fought toward the end, but let themselves get down after an early error,” Olson noted. “We are going to work on keeping our confidence up.”
Two errors, a wild pitch and passed ball opened the floodgates for an eight-run Twin River outburst in the opening frame. The Titans added four in the second while TR pitcher Paige Paczosa held Boone Central scoreless on three hits.
Boone Central came up just short of its first victory in a 3-1 loss to High Plains to finish the day.
After falling behind 3-0, Lindsay Temme doubled and scored on Shanel Atwood’s single in the fourth inning. The Cards hit the ball sharply over the final three innings, but strong High Plains defense prevented a tally.
“The girls played a great game – we just couldn’t get around their gloves and get those last runs we needed,” rued Olson.
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