Demon softball splits, Trojans and Panthers suffer losses

The 2024 softball season was kicked off last week with Fairfield, Washington and Mt. Pleasant all getting their first taste of action.

Washington and Fairfield both ended the week with games on Thursday, while Mt. Pleasant closed out the week of action on Friday.

The Demons were the one team to pick up a win, splitting with Cardinal in a pair of games. Washington won the first 10-3, but lost the second 7-4.

Fairfield fell in a doubleheader against Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont, 15-5 and 8-7, while Mt. Pleasant suffered a 16-4 loss to Mid-Prairie.

The No. 7 ranked Demons (2-1) were down early against the Comets in game one, but answered with back-to-back runs to take a 2-1 lead.

After scoring three runs between the fourth and fifth inning, Washington really tacked it on with five runs in the sixth.

The Comets pulled within two after a pair of runs in the sixth, but the Demons five was more than enough to fully put the game away.

Alyvia Anderson led the Demons in game one, going 4-for-4 with three RBIs. Halle Cuddeback, Emery Walton and Lauren Hinrichsen all had two RBIs, while Ella Greiner had one.

Bella Salazar pitched all seven innings, giving up six hits, three runs (one earned) with six strikeouts.

For Cardinal, Emma Becker went 2-for-2 with two RBIs. Summer LaRue also had an RBI.

Nicoa McClure pitched six innings, giving up 13 hits, 10 runs (four earned) and three strikeouts.

In game two, the Comets and Demons were knotted at 2-2 after two innings. This time around, Cardinal showed their offensive prowess.

Cardinal scored one run in the third and three more in the fourth to make it 6-2. Washington pulled within three after a one run fifth, but Cardinal added one more in the sixth to seal it.

Cynthia Albert led Cardinal, going 3-for-4 with three RBIs. Maclain Hickenbottom ended with two RBIs.

In the circle, Hickenbottom pitched a complete game, giving up nine hits, four runs (three earned) with five strikeouts.

For Washington, Emery Walton and Colbie Greiner each had two hits. Colbie Greiner and Leighton Salazar each had one RBI as well.

In Fairfield’s opening matchup with EBF, the Trojans (1-2) scored in all but two innings. However, the Rockets put five or more runs on the board in two innings.

The Trojans led 2-1 heading into the bottom of the second, but the Rockets put five on the board to take a 6-2 lead that they wouldn’t give up.

Fairfield pulled within three an inning later, but the Rockets scored another seven to run away with it.

The Trojans were led by Leah Helmick and Laney Norris who both had two hits. Faith Jones tallied Fairfield’s lone RBI.

Norris threw for five innings, giving up 15 hits, 15 runs (seven earned) with one strikeout.

In game two, the two squads were tied 5-5 after just two innings, but a 3-2 fourth inning in favor of the Rockets was the difference.

Lilly Bergren had a team high three hits for the Trojans with one RBI. Laney Norris finished with two RBIs.

In Mt. Pleasant’s Friday night matchup with Mid-Prairie, the Panthers (0-2) fell behind 8-4 after two innings.

The Golden Hawks only increased their lead from there, scoring eight runs between the following two inning to put the game away.

Emma Starr and Kynlee White each tallied a hit and RBI for Mt. Pleasant. Saige Burchett and Tyi Alter finished with one RBI as well.