Although Boone Central/Newman Grove was unable to seriously challenge undefeated Class C #1 Wayne, the Cardinals defeated all other comers to finish as C-5 District runner-up Oct. 5-6 at Wayne.
The host Blue Devils rolled through the tournament, defeating Highway 91 10-0, then subduing BC/NG 12-0 and 19-0. Behind the arm of pitching standout Tori Kniesche, Wayne ( 31-0) has allowed just 20 runs all season and will take a streak of eight consecutive shutouts into the Class C state tournament this week.
Boone Central/Newman Grove (22-13) began its successful C-5 run Thursday with a 13-2 three-inning victory over Madison/Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family (3-25).
Boone Central/Newman Grove advanced to the winner’s bracket final with a 12-4 triumph over Ponca (10-10). The Cardinals held a slim 3-2 advantage through three innings, then tallied three times in the fourth and four times in the fifth to gain separation.
As has been the case for pretty much every team to face Wayne this season, BC/NG had little luck against Kniesche in the following contest. The Blue Devils scored eight runs off Tisthammer in the first two innings and added four against Groth in the third, while Kniesche allowed just two hits in a 12-0 Wayne win. Choat and Groth each singled for the Cardinals.
Boone Central/Newman Grove bounced back and advanced to the tournament title game with a clutch 10-8 win over Highway 91 (14-16). BC/NG built an 8-4 lead in the fifth as Groth, Hamling and Miller all swatted solo home runs. Highway 91 closed to within one with three runs in the top of the sixth and BC/NG answered with its final two in the bottom of the inning, Groth doubling home Hedlund and Choat. Highway 91 scored a final run in the seventh on a walk, stolen base and wild pitch before Tisthammer, pitching in relief, induced a pair of groundouts back to the mound to end the contest.
Unfortunately for BC/NG, that called for another matchup with Wayne, which the Blue Devils won 19-0 in three innings. Kniesche took no prisoners, firing a no-hitter and striking out eight of the nine batters she faced. Wayne took a 4-0 lead off Groeteke in the first, and added seven in the second and eight in the third to claim the C-5 championship.
Further details in Print & Online editions of Albion News
