Warriors fall at New London

NEW LONDON ? Two days after rallying for a victory against Danville, the Van Buren softball team was unable to summon the same late-inning magic against New London.

Van Buren fell just shy of a win in a Southeast Iowa Superconference doubleheader Thursday, losing 4-3 in the eight-inning opener and dropping the nightcap by a final score of 8-4.

The Warriors tallied six hits in the opener, as Hanna Haynes smacked a home run and Jansen Heckenberg went 3 for 3. Alicia Fitzsimmons tossed all eight innings, allowing eight hits and three earned runs while striking out two.

Haynes started the nightcap from the mound, giving up three earned runs in 2/3 innings for the loss. Fitzsimmons went the final 5 1/3 innings, allowing seven hits and five unearned runs.

Next up for Van Buren (8-11, 6-6 SEISC south) is the Pekin tournament scheduled for Saturday. The Warriors open the tourney with a 9 a.m. game vs. host Pekin.