Sometimes it just takes a mental lapse, bad hop or an error and it changes the outcome of the game. North Mahaska and Tri-County experienced those happenings Friday that allowed North Mahaska to come away with an 8-6 South Iowa Cedar League victory.
North Mahaska pounded out five runs on five hits and used a hit batsman and wild pitch to open the top of the first inning. In the bottom half Tri-County exerted their speed and cut the lead to 5-2. The host Trojans would add a single run in the third. NM added a run in the fifth to lead 6-3.
Tri-County used small ball, speed, three singles and an error to tie the game 6-6. Two walks, a wild pitch and pass ball and an RBI single by North Mahaska pitcher Morgan Hudson allowed NM to score twice in the top of the seventh.
Hudson then set the Trojans down in order to secure the victory.
“The Warhawk ladies played well tonight,” said NM coach Erica Groom. “We started our bats out strong and was able to get a 5-0 lead over Tri-County. We continued to fight hard throughout the game and won. Tri-County (9-8) has a great hitting team this year.”
Trojan coach Chad Little was pleased with his team’s performance at the plate.
“We got the ball down and used our speed,” said Little. “We just had a couple mistakes and that is all it takes.”
Hudson won the pitching duel with Tri-County’s Delanie Little. Hudson gave up nine hits and six runs, four earned and struck out seven. Little Yielded eight runs on seven hits with four earned runs. She walked four, hit two batters and struck out six.
Hudson drove in three runs on the night and Kayla Readshaw had two RBIs. Tri-County’s Lily Randal hit a single and hit into two fielder’s choices to earn three RBIs. Ayla Hall hit three singles and scored twice.