By Becky Walz,
Morgan Vsetecka was one of seven Trojans to put the ball in play during Monday’s playoff game. (Photo by Becky Walz)
The Turkey Valley softball team looked to start the Class 1A postseason strong; however, a comeback launched by West Central (9-14) ended the Trojans’ plans Monday.
The Trojans end the season 7-24 overall with a 7-9 conference mark. With no seniors on the team, Turkey Valley gained valuable experience on the diamond this season.
The final game
Getting baserunners is one thing, getting them to score is another as the Trojans found to be the case Tuesday against West Central in the Class 1A regional game.
“The big difference in the game was that we left 13 runners on base while they only left four. They came up with some timely hits that we didn’t. I was proud of our girls, they played hard until the end,” said Coach Junior Hackman.
Blue Devil runs in the first, third and fourth frames didn’t hinder the Trojans’ dreams of a win. The fifth inning was proof of that as Turkey Valley sent 10 batters to the plate, scoring six runs on three hits. West Central countered with three in the bottom of the same stanza, scoring on a pair of singles, two Trojan errors and an overthrown ball to lead 7-6.
TV retook the lead in the sixth, as Delaney Busta reached on a fielder’s choice and later scored on a single by Makinley Lutgen. Having been walked, Autumn Maklenburg also scored when Alexis Elsbernd singled to put the Trojans up 8-7. Bases loaded in the seventh didn’t lead to what would prove to be crucial runs as a Blue Devil led off the bottom of the seventh with a triple and scored the winning run on a sacrifice fly to centerfield as West Central went on to win 9-8.
Bodensteiner went the distance in the circle in the loss, while TV tagged the ball 10 times. Jenna Throndson, M. Lutgen and Elsbernd all had two hits in the offensive effort while Morgan Vsetecka, Bodensteiner, Busta and Maklenburg all had one.
Annika Bodensteiner (LP) – 6-1/3IP, 9R, 9H, 1BB, 2K
1B – Jenna Throndson 2; Makinley Lutgen 2; Alexis Elsbernd 2; Morgan Vsetecka 1; Bodensteiner 1; Delaney Busta 1; Autumn Maklenburg 1; RBI – Karstyn Lukes 3; M. Lutgen 2; Elsbernd 2; SB – Bodensteiner 1; Busta 1
Make-up game
What was to be one of the first games of the season for the Trojans ended up being the last of regular season as Turkey Valley hosted Springville (9-22) Friday night in non-conference action.
The Orioles took the lead in the second with a pair of runs that the Trojans couldn’t get back. Springville added one in the fourth and held on to the lead despite giving up one in the bottom half of the same frame. Both squads pushed home a run in the sixth, but the Trojans’ seven hits in the contest weren’t enough to score the victory as they fell, 4-2.
Bodensteiner and M. Lutgen each went 2-for-3 in the batter’s box with M. Lutgen driving in the Trojans’ two runs. Bodensteiner gave up no earned runs on five hits and struck out three as she was saddled with the loss on the mound.
Bodensteiner (LP) – 7IP, 4R, 5H, 3K
1B – Bodensteiner 2; M. Lutgen 2; Lukes 1; Throndson 1; Elsbernd 1; RBI – M. Lutgen 2
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