Comet softball sweeps Norm Mitts Classic
by Lindsay Hoeppner · July 01, 2010

The West Liberty High School softball team had a tough set of games, coming up 0-3 last week, but was able to give the inaugural Norm Mitts Classic Tournament a proper introduction.

The Comets started their week off by hosting Class 2A, No. 4-ranked Wilton on Tuesday, June 23. Although West Liberty put up a fight, the team lost 6-3.

Eighth-grader Hailey Cox took the loss, giving up six runs, three of which were earned, eight hits and two walks.

Eighth-grader Ty Wescott and freshman Jessica Newton each had two hits, while junior Kaity Martin had a hit with a run scored and freshman Shelby Martin went 1-2 on the night with two RBIs.

West Liberty traveled to Class 2A, No. 3-ranked Iowa City Regina Wednesday, June 23, and got spanked 12-1 in five innings.

Cox and freshman Shelby Martin had the lone hits of the night. Kaity Martin pitched two innings and gave up 12 hits and nine runs, eight of which were earned. Cox came in for relief and gave up three earned runs and struck out one Regina hitter.

The Comets hosted West Branch Friday, June 25, loosing 12-7.

Kaity Martin took the loss, giving up 13 hits, 12 runs, nine of which were earned, two walks and five strike outs.

Newton had two hits and two runs scored, while Wescott went 1-4 with one run, junior Haley Smith went 2-4 with a double, freshman Hayley Simon went 1-2 with two RBIs and one run and Shelby Martin went 1-4 with a double and three RBIs.

The inaugural Norm Mitts Classic Tournament was held Saturday, June 26. The Comets gave the tournament, which was previously called the Belles Classic Tournament, a proper introduction, winning both of their games.

West Liberty topped Winfield-Mt. Union 4-3. Behind pitcher Kaity Martin, who allowed only three runs on five hits, the Comets had 10 hits in their win.

Newton went 2-2 with one run scored and a double, while freshman Kristi Feldman went 1-3 with a run and a double, Shelby Martin went 1-3 with a run and an RBI and freshman Kathy Kaalberg went 1-2 with an RBI.

The other game in the tournament was against Lone Tree. West Liberty prevailed 5-4.

Shelby Martin gave up four runs on seven hits, one home run and two strike outs on the mound. Cox came in for relief and only gave up one hit.

At bat, Newton went 2-2 with a double, Wescott went 1-2, Kaity Martin went 1-2 with a run, Hayley Simon went 1-3 with a game winning triple and three RBIs and Cox went 1-2.

The Comets attempted to redeem their earlier loss against a tough Regina squad Monday, June 28, but fell 10-5.

Cox took the loss, giving up 12 hits, 10 runs, seven of which were earned, three walks and four strike outs.

Wescott went 1-2 with an RBI, while freshman Monica Rodriguez went 1-2 with an RBI, Newton went 1-4 with a double and an RBI, Kaity Martin went 2-4 with a double and two runs scored and Kaalberg went 1-2 with two runs scored and a stolen base.

The Comets were scheduled to host Tipton Tuesday, June 29 and will face off against Durant today (Thursday, July 1). West Liberty will finish its week at the Iowa City West Invitational Tournament at the University of Iowa fields Friday, July 2 and Saturday, July 3.