Wildcats fall in regionals
Friday the 13th proved to be unlucky for the Tharptown varsity softball team, which lost both of its games at the North Regional Tournament.
The Lady Wildcats gave up four runs in the first inning of the opening game and was unable to rally, falling to Waterloo 8-1.
They also fell behind to Collinsville in the elimination game, but this time rallied to take a lead into the sixth inning before Collinsville scored three runs to regain the lead for good in a 7-6 victory.
“We did okay, but we have to get better,” said Tharptown coach Susie Sellers. “If we want to be competitive at this stage, we have some work we have to do.”
Tharptown’s offense struggled at times in the first game with the Lady Wildcats recording only three hits. Shelby Palmer doubled while Braeden Sellers and Haley Malone hit one single each.
The offense found its rhythm in the third inning of the second game as Bailey Phillips singled and Sellers drew a walk. They came around to score and cut Collinsville’s lead to 3-2.
Chloe Lane drew a walk to lead off the fourth inning and later scored on a double by Phillips to tie the game. Collinsville regained the lead in the bottom half of the inning, but Tharptown’s offense put together another strong inning in the fifth.
Autumn Sutter singled, Cassie Fuller reached on an error and Lane doubled. All three players scored that inning to give Tharptown its first lead of the day, a 6-4 advantage.
The Lady Wildcats had three runners reach base in the sixth inning, but were unable to get any of them home.
Collinsville’s first two batters of the third were retired quickly, but five consecutive batters then reached base. Collinsville scored three runs in the inning.
Needing at lead one run to keep its season alive, Tharptown loaded the bases with one out in the top of the seventh inning when Kaitlyn Vandiver singled, Lane drew a walk and Malone was awarded first base when a pitch hit her in the back.
Haley Hatton then reached on a fielder’s choice, but Lane was retired on the play as she was running home. Phillips then popped out to second base to end the game.
Phillips was the leading hitter for Tharptown with a single and a double while Hatton, Vandiver and Sutter had one single each.
Tharptown finished the season with a record of 14-13-1.
