Scott City and Holcomb softball split doubleheader

Holcomb, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–Scott City and Holcomb entered Friday’s doubleheader tied for third in the GWAC standings at 4-4. The feeling entering the day was that a couple of close games could possibly be played. In the end, the teams ended league play tied for third. Holcomb would rally to take the first game in walk-off fashion 11-10, while the Lady Beavers controlled the second game for a 6-1 win.

Holcomb 11, Scott City 10, Game 1
It would be a back and forth game to begin the day. Scott City came out strong with a 3-0 lead in the top half of the first, with three runs on four hits. Holcomb answered back with a run in the first and tied the game at three in the bottom of the third on a pair of fielders choice ground balls. The Lady Beavers looked to take control of the game in the fourth, batting around and adding four runs to make it a 7-3 Scott City lead. Gabby Martinez would help cap off the scoring with an RBI sacrifice fly. The Lady Longhorns would take advantage of walks and errors in the inning, as they rallied for six runs to take their first lead at 9-7. Their final three runs scored were on passed balls. Following a scoreless fifth, the Lady Beavers tied the game at nine with two runs, capped off by an Aspen Nix RBI single. In the top of the seventh, Scott City retook the lead on a two out RBI double by Lyndi Rumford that scored Martinez to give the Lady Beavers a 10-9 lead. In the bottom of the frame with two outs, The Lady Beavers had an opportunity to win the game, but an error plated a run to tie the game at 10. Holcomb would win the game on the next at bat, as Blair Holliday drove in Gracelyn Rupp, and the Lady Longhorns took the opening game 11-10.

For Holcomb, Blair Holliday went 2-4 with three RBI, and Ryleigh McVey had two hits and drove in two runs. The Lady Longhorns finished with seven hits and committed two errors. Holliday went all seven innings in the circle to pick up the win, giving up 10 runs, nine earned, on 17 hits, and walked four batters. She threw 129 pitches. Scott City saw Amber Latta and Lyndi Rumford come away with four-hit games. Rumford and Gabby Martinez each drove in two runs. The Lady Beavers had 17 hits, but committed four errors in game one. Jacelynn Buffington took the loss, allowing 11 runs, three earned, on seven hits, with six strikeouts, but walked 10 batters and hit two.

Scott City 6, Holcomb 1, Game 2
The finale of the day was controlled by Scott City for the most part, despite early threats by Lady Horns. In the top of the first, the Lady Beavers would take advantage of a passed ball and an error to take a 2-0 lead. Holcomb would answer back in the bottom of the third, as an RBI walk by Bailey Pauley drove in Gracelyn Rupp to cut the deficit to 2-1. Scott City’s last four runs of the game would come on two-out rallies. Their three-run fourth was capped by a two-run double by Ella Rumford that plated Aspyn Nix and Amber Latta, which pushed the lead to 5-1. Amanda Lara would drive in Kaitlyn Wolkensdorfer from second in the seventh for a bonus run to make the final 6-1.

Amber Latta, Kaitlyn Wolkensdorfer and Amanda Lara would have two-hit games, and Ella Rumford drove in two runs. The Lady Beavers finished with 10 hits and committed three errors. Lyndi Rumford went all seven innings to pick up the win, giving up one run on four hits, with six strikeouts and three walks. Gracelyn Rupp and Ryleigh McVey had two hits apiece for Holcomb. McVey took the loss, giving up six runs, four earned, on 10 hits with two strikeouts in game two.

After Friday, Scott City finished the season at 10-10, and 5-5 in GWAC play. The Lady Beavers have won at least 10 games in a season for a school-record fourth straight year. They will have 10 days off before regionals begin in Lakin on Monday, May 13. Holcomb also finished 5-5 in league play. They are 8-10 overall, and will face Lakin on Monday to wrap up the regular season. Colby won the league for the first time since 2013.

Regional seeding will be released on Wednesday.

Coach Erin Myers Postgame