Defensive struggles plague Cardinals in softball action

 The Garner-Hayfiled/Ventura softball team’s defense struggled this week, resulting in the team dropping three games.

“Out defense gave us fits this week. We weren’t able to get the outs when we needed them and it cost us ball games,” said Coach Christi Weiser. “The thing about this group, however, is that they will put the extra work in that is needed and we will shore up our defense in the coming games."

Algona 10, GHV 8

 The Cardinals dropped a close home contest against Algona on Tuesday, June 17.
 GHV trailed 9-4 prior to the sixth inning. The Cards came alive in the sixth, scoring four runs, but it was too little, too late, as they dropped the game, 10-8.
 Sydney Childress and Bailee Pitzenberger shared pitching duties. Pitzenberger struck-out one batter, walked two, gave up two hits and three runs. Childress walked four, gave up four hits and allowed seven runs.
 Maddie Tusha led the Cardinal offense with two hits, two runs, three stolen bases and one RBI. Payton Bamrick hit a double that knocked in three runners.
 Grace Tusha and Katie Oetken had two hits apiece and Oetken scored two runs for the Cards.

North Iowa 13, GHV 1 (3)
 North Iowa pounded the Cardinals in a 13-1 three inning romp on Wednesday, June 18.
 The Bison managed 12 hits off GHV pitcher Brooklyn Ossman, while the Cardinals could only manage two hits.
 GHV scored their lone run when Mallory Van Oort knocked in Maddie Tusha in the first inning. The Bison recorded four runs in the first inning and one in the second. It was the third inning that sealed the deal for North Iowa, as they collected eight runs to put the Cardinals way out of reach.
 Tusha collected both of the Cardinals’ hits, one a single and one a double.

West Hancock 13, GHV 9
 GHV got their bats in action Friday night, June 20, against West Hancock. Unfortunately, they just weren’t able to get as many across the plate and they fell 13-9 to the Eagles.
Both teams recorded 11 hits apiece in the game.
Brooklyn Ossman pitched six innings for the Cardinals and Bailee Pitzenberger came in to pitch one. Ossman struck-out five batters, walked three and gave up 11 hits and 12 runs. Pitzenberger struck out two and gave up one run.
Collecting two hits apiece for the night were Mallory Van Oort, Payton Bamrick and Brooklyn Laird.
Maddie Tusha and Van Oort scored two runs each for the Cardinals.
Van Oort and Miranda Jackson led the team in RBIs with three and two respectively.
Tusha did all she could do once she made it to base, collecting an amazing four stolen bases. Van Oort, Mackenzie Van Gerpen and Betshaida Larson had two stolen bases apiece.
“It’s the time of year that we are working toward out peak as we play the back half of conference and head into the post-season,” said Coach Christi Weiser. “It’s exciting to see the continued growth of this group.”