G-H/V opens District play with a win; fall in second game

The Garner-Hayfield/Ventura girls advanced in the Class 3A District competition with a win over Forest City.  Unfortunately, the season ended for the team as it fell to Estherville Lincoln Central in the second round of District play.

G-H/V 6, Forest City 2

The Cardinals put together a full game on Tuesday, July 9, and topped Forest City, 6-2, in the opening round of Class 3A District action.

“I couldn’t be more proud of a group of young ladies than I am of this team,” said Coach Christi Weiser.  

G-H/V came ready to play, scoring three runs in the first inning.  The Indians didn’t get on the board until the third inning, bringing the score to 3-1.  The Cardinals scored two runs in the fifth, 5-1.  Each team scored one run in the sixth for the final, 6-2.

Taylor Reising picked up the win for G-H/V.  She pitched all seven innings, giving up four hits and two runs.  She walked one batter and struck out two.  Forest City’s Kelsey McQuown was able to connect for a homerun on one of Reising’s pitches.

Three Cardinal players picked up multiple hits against Forest City.  Payton Bamrick led the charge with three hits, while Maddie Tusha and Mackenzie VanGerpen had two hits apiece.  One of VanGerpen’s hits was a double.  Collecting one hit each were Brooklyn Ossman and Miranda Jackson.

Bamrick led the team in RBI’s with three.  Grace Tusha and Autumn Weaver had one RBI each.

Mallory Van Oort scored two of the Cardinal’s runs, while Maddie Tusha, Tiara Van Gerpen, Bamrick and Mackenzie Van Gerpen each scored one run.

Estherville Lincoln Central 7, G-H/V 1

The second round of Class 3A District play didn’t go as well for the Cardinals, as they fell to Estherville Lincoln Central, 7-1.

“I knew going into the game we were going to need to play well in all facets of the game and if we left an opening Estherville would take advantage and put runs on the board,” said Coach Christi Weiser. “Unfortunately, we made a couple of defensive mistakes early and they cost us runs.”

Estherville Lincoln Central scored all seven of their runs in the first three innings, but G-H/V managed to hold them scoreless for the rest of the game.  The Cardinals scored their lone run in the first inning.

Taylor Reising pitched all seven innings and took the loss on the mound.  She gave up six hits and seven runs.  She walked three and struck out two batters.

Only four G-H/V players were able to get hits.  Tiara VanGerpen, Payton Bamrick, Grace Tusha and Mackenzie VanGerpen had one hit apiece.

Bamrick’s hit knocked in Maddie Tusha for G-H/V’s one run.

The Cardinals ended the season with a record of 2-28.

“I know people will look at our record and think that we struggled, and we did have some really tough games, but this team excelled in so many ways that aren’t measured on the scoreboard,” said Weiser.  “I really look forward to the growth we will have in the coming year.”