GHV softball team struggles through week

 The Garner-Hayfield/Ventura softball team struggled this week, dropping five games. The team’s record now stands at 7-18.

Forest City 12, GHV 2
The Cardinals hosted Forest City on Monday, June 30, for a conference showdown. The Indians came away with a big, 12-2, victory.
If it hadn’t been for the second inning, when Forest City managed seven runs, the game would have been close. GHV scored their two runs in the fourth inning.
Bailee Pitzenberger and Sydney Childress shared pitching duties for the Cardinals. Pitzenberger walked three, gave up six hits and seven runs. Childress struck-out two, walked six and had five runs scored on her.

 Only three batters were able to get hits off Forest City’s pitcher, Autumn Busta. Mallory Van Oort and Payton Bamrick both got doubles, while Brooklyn Laird recorded a single. Bamrick’s double brought in a run by Mackenzie Van Gerpen. Bamrick scored the other Cardinal run.
Osage 13, GHV 7
Despite a strong start, the Cardinals just couldn’t muster a win against Osage on Tuesday, July 1.
GHV jumped to an early lead with the score in the Cardinals’ favor, 5-2, at the end of the third inning. The Green Devils picked up their game, scoring one run in the fourth, two in the fifth and six in the sixth. Each team scored two runs in the seventh for the final 13-7 score.
“For the second time this season we started out great against Osage, but just couldn’t get that elusive third out,” said Coach Christi Weiser. “I’m proud of the resolve the girls showed through the difficulties of that game.”
Brooklyn Ossman pitched six innings for the Cardinals and Bailee Pitzenberger pitched one. Ossman struck out four batters, walked two and gave up 13 hits and 11 runs. Pitzenberger walked two, gave up one hit and two runs.
Payton Bamrick and Mackenzie Van Gerpen each connected for a double. Mallory Van Oort and Tiara Van Gerpen had two hits apiece.
Miranda Jackson and Van Oort led the team with two RBIs apiece.
Maddie Tusha led the team with three stolen bases.
Scoring two runs apiece for the team were Tusha and Van Oort. Jackson, Betshaida Larson and Brooklyn Laird all scored one run.

Belmond-Klemme 24, GHV 13
The Cardinals played two games against Belmond-Klemme on Tuesday, July 2. One of the games was the completion of a rained out game started on June 16.
“We had already stacked our cards against ourselves in the events from prior to the weather delay, but the kids did exactly what we asked in ignoring the scoreboard, playing hard and battling,” said Coach Christi Weiser.
The scoring fest started with B-K scoring 11 runs in the first inning. The second inning was GHV’s, as they scored nine in that inning. The Broncos also had a strong seventh inning, adding seven more runs for the final 24-13 victory.
GHV tried switching up the pitchers. Bailee Pitzenberger saw the majority of the time on the mound. She struck out two, walked eight, gave up 12 hits and 13 runs. Also seeing time on the mound was Brooklyn Ossman, Sydney Childress and Jillian Heitland.
Tiara Van Gerpen had an outstanding night at the plate, collecting four hits in her four times at bat. She also recorded two RBIs, stole two bases and had three runs for the team.
Also having a good night was Payton Bamrick, who connected for two hits, two RBIs and scored one run.
Maddie Tusha had one hit, three runs and three stolen bases.

Belmond-Klemme 7, GHV 5
The second game of the night against Belmond-Klemme was much more balanced, but the outcome was still the same, with the Broncos picking up a 7-5 win over the Cardinals.
“Again, we were just one hit and one out away from doing great things in this game, but just couldn’t quite break through,” said Weiser.
Brooklyn Ossman pitched the entire game for the Cardinals. She struck out five, walked four and gave up eight hits.
Tiara Van Gerpen collected two hits for GHV and she had one RBI and recorded one run.
Also getting hits were Maddie Tusha, Miranda Jackson, Payton Bamrick, Mackenzie Van Gerpen and Grace Tusha.
Mallory Van Oort, Maddie Tusha, Mackenzie Van Gerpen and Jacki Van Oort all scored one run each.

North Iowa 20, GHV 10
It was another high scoring game on Thursday, July 3, when the Cardinals hosted North Iowa.
“We didn’t put our game together like I expected us to. It was a long week and I think that wore on us,” said Coach Christi Weiser. “We really struggled in all three facets, but the great thing is I know that we will learn from each part of it and will be better for it.”
The Bison came out strong and recorded 10 runs by the end of the third inning, while the Cardinals only had four runs. GHV did better in the fourth inning, holding North Iowa scoreless, while collecting four more runs, 10-8. The Bison didn’t relinquish. They scored four more runs in the fifth inning and six in the sixth inning for the final 20-10 score.
Brooklyn Ossman pitched just over four innings. She struck out two, walked two, gave up 10 hits and 14 runs. Bailee Pitzenberger pitched one inning, walking one and giving up one hit and one run. Jillian Heitland also saw time on the mound.
The Cardinals could only manage four hits off the Bison’s pitcher, Paige Hassebroek. Mallory Van Oort connected on both of her times at bat. Also getting one hit apiece were Tiara Van Gerpen and Mackenzie Van Gerpen.
Tiara Van Gerpen and Maddie Tusha led the team in stolen bases with four apiece.
Mallory Van Oort also had four RBIs, three stolen bases and one run.
Tiara Van Gerpen and Maddie Tusha scored three and two runs respectively. Also scoring a run was Miranda Jackson, Payton Bamrick, Grace Tusha and Jacki Van Oort.
The Cardinals began their post-season last night, Tuesday, July 8, against Clear Lake. Results of that game were not available at press time, but will appear in next week’s edition of the Clear Lake Mirror-Reporter.