Errors Prove Costly in Garden City’s Two Losses to Clay Center Softball

Garden City, KS (westernkansasnews.com) It was a tough week for the Garden City girls softball team.  Earlier in the week they had two losses to Derby and Maize South in games that went ten innings.  The Lady Buffs weathered the storm at times Thursday, but fell in both games to Clay Center 6-3 and 9-5.

Game One Highlights

Up 1-0 going into the fourth inning, Clay Center (5-1) scored four runs sparked by a three run double to right center by Janae Shivers.  Her RBI single in the sixth inning made it a four RBI day for Shivers and Abby Dart surrendered six runs, two earned despite striking out 15. 

Kaci Finch added a RBI double as part of a two RBI game in the fifth and Ryleigh Whitehurst Sac-Fly for a run in the sixth making it a 6-3 final.

Game Two Highlights

Taylor Mall started the scoring for Clay Center when she singled.  Courtesy runner Lexi Libi came around on a throwing error by second baseman Reigan Crawford on a failed flip to first. 

After Garden City (4-4) scored twice in the bottom of the second on run scoring hits by Taylor Terpstra single to right and Whitehurst triple, Clay Center took advantage of two separate errors to score four runs in the third and retake the lead 5-2.

Garden was able to tie it up in the bottom of the third on Erykah Foster’s RBi single, Haley Dart’s RBI single and an error by Lady Tiger shortstop Hailey Franson.

The Lady Buffs left five more on base over the next four innings, but were held in check by both Taylor Mall and Megan Blake who pitched the final three innings to end the game. 

Meanwhile Clay Center added four more in the fourth on a bunt single from Franson bringing in centerfielder Sam Carson, two run single from first baseman Hannah Ferguson and run scoring double by Janae Shivers. 

Clay Center did not score over the next three innings, but they did not have to in coasting to the 9-5 win.

Sophomore Haley Dart struggled in the circle pitching for Garden giving up 12 hits and nine runs, six earned while striking out seven.  She did pickup momentum in pitching three shutout innings in innings five, six and seven all while allowing just two hits.

Post-game Comments From Garden City Coach Trina Moquett

For Garden after winning their first four games they have now lost four straight.  Their next game is a road contest at Liberal on Tuesday.  First pitch is at 6pm.