March 28, 2024

Roland Story Norsemen spoil C-M softball senior night

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COLFAX — Senior shortstop Sydnie Fahrney remains optimistic about Colfax-Mingo High softball and the Tigerhawks’ chances in next week’s regional play. That coming even after a 5-2 setback Tuesday at home on C-M “senior night.”

“We’ve been pretty good about putting our mistakes behind us and getting back up. I expect us to do just that even though we were disappointed about this one,” Fahrney said after the Tigerhawks lost to visiting Roland Story’s Norsemen.

“We have a good chance in the regional next week. We play South Hamilton and we’ve lost one and won one against them this year.”

Colfax-Mingo honored Fahrney and its other senior Rachel Forschler, who is the starting center fielder, before the game Tuesday.

The Tigerhawks struck first with a run in the bottom of the second inning. Jade Lewis reached on an error with one gone then Riley Thompson drew a walk. Forschler’s infield single loaded the bases. Sara Lahart drove in the run with a fielder’s choice.

Roland Story manufactured the tying run in the third. In the fourth, Colfax-Mingo threw out a Norseman runner trying to score from second on a double. There were two gone but a walk and a base hit produced the go-ahead run.

“Amy (Russell) struggled tonight. I’ve never seen her struggle to throw strikes like that,” said Tigerhawk head coach Bryan Poulter. “She walked 10 batters. She’s a strong competitor and will bounce back fast from this performance.”

Colfax-Mingo answered right back with the tying run in the bottom of the fourth. Lewis reached on an error and Thompson singled with one gone. Forschler worked a walk then Alivia Haley was hit by a pitch with two outs to force in the run.

The Tigerhawks couldn’t capitalize on a leadoff double by Russell in the fifth. Russell was caught in a rundown at third base to end the inning.

Roland Story plated three runs in the sixth after the first two batters were issued walks. Another walk and two singles helped the Norsemen score to take a 5-2 lead.

Colfax-Mingo worked out of trouble in top of the seventh inning but the Tigerhawks couldn’t get a rally going. They went in order in their final at bat.

“It wasn’t a good game but on the positive side, we held them to five runs despite the 10 walks and eight hits,” Poulter said.

Russell, who is an eighth-grader, doubled and pitched the complete game for C-M. Forschler, Lewis, Thompson and Haley each had a single. Haley is an eighth-grader also and is the starting catcher.

Colfax-Mingo hosts Saydel tonight at 7 o’clock for its final home regular-season game. C-M hosts the first round of district tournament play next Tuesday at Colfax. The Tigerhawks play South Hamilton at 7 p.m.

ON MONDAY, the Tigerhawks defeated host Collins-Maxwell-Baxter 9-3 in Heart of Iowa Conference play in Collins.

C-M scored a run in the first and four more in the third inning, three coming on a three- run home run by Lewis. The Tigerhawks plated three more runs in the fourth with RBI’s from Russell, Allison Teed and Lewis.

In the sixth inning, Farhney led off with a base hit followed by a walk by Thompson. Lewis drove in her fifth run of the game with a ground-out.

“Our offense produced well (Monday). We kept putting pressure on their defense all game and we did a great job of moving runners with sacrifice bunts and balls to the back side of the defense,” Poulter said.

“Jade’s home run got out in a hurry. It was a laser shot over the left field fence. Our defense bent a little bit but didn’t break. Jena and Allison Teed had two crucial sacrifice bunts.”