Softball Knights Move To 4-4 After Winning Three Of Last Four
By Anthony Jones
Looking to rid themselves of their losing record, Triad’s softball team made trips to Chatham Glenwood and Alton this past week. The team also took on Columbia at home.
In their matchup with Columbia, Triad jumped out to a strong start. They made quick work on defense in the top of the first, facing only four batters.
During their own turn to bat, Triad quickly loaded the bases with singles by Ella Moore and Logan Looby, plus a walk drawn by Sam Jarman. Malorey Kessinger followed with a single, but the runner at home was out. Sam Hartoin would then take on a pitch to give her team a 1-0 advantage that would hold through the end of the first.
The second inning was relatively quiet as Triad yet again faced only four batters. Jenna Bohnensthiel hit a deep shot during the bottom of the second, but like all other Triad batters in the inning, she was out.
The third inning saw Kesinger continue to deal on the mound for Triad, as she retired the first three batters she faced. In the bottom of the third, not much offense was generated either. A solo home run by Jarman did add to the Knight’s lead however as they went up 2-0.
Momentum kept going in Triad’s direction as they faced three batters yet again in the fourth inning. After a groundout, the next three hitters all reached base safely during the bottom of the fourth. Then Bohnensthiel hit a single to score the first run of the inning. Looby followed this with a grand slam to take a commanding 7-0 lead.
Columbia would trim down this deficit shortly, responding with two runs of their own in the fifth inning. The lead would expand again shortly though, as Moore hit a single to score Kelsey Neace in the bottom of the sixth. This moved the score to 8-2, which would stand as the final.
In her complete game win, Kessinger was a force on the mound. She allowed only three hits and struck out eight batters.
Earlier in the week, Triad claimed a 10-3 victory over the Alton Redbirds. Kessinger went the distance in that game as well, striking out eight and giving up a mere four hits. Ali Grenzbach, Neace, and Kessinger all scored two runs in that win as well.
The team’s other game earlier in the week proved to be a 1-0 loss to Chatham Glenwood. Layla Moore pitched a complete game for Triad, surrendering a quartet of hits and striking out twice that total. Grenzbach led the offense with two of Triad’s five hits for the game.
