Comet softball set back by tough competition
by Lindsay Hoeppner · July 07, 2010

Tough competition proved to be too much for the West Liberty High School softball squad last week.

The Comets started their week off by hosting Tipton Tuesday, June 29. Although the game was a close finish, West Liberty lost 8-6.

Junior Kaity Martin took the loss, giving up eight runs, two of which were earned, on five hits.

Eighth-grader Ty Wescott and freshmen Jessica Newton and Kristi Feldman each had two hits, while Wescott and Newton each tallied an RBI. Wescott additionally scored three runs, while Feldman scored one run.

West Liberty hosted Class 2A, No.4-ranked Durant Thursday, July 1 in a 14-0 Wildcat shutout.

Eighth-grader Hailey Cox took the loss, giving up 18 hits and 14 runs, six of which were earned.

Coming off two very different defeats — a shutout and a close loss, West Liberty hoped to turn its game around at the Iowa City West Invitational Friday, July 2 and Saturday, July 3.

That was not the case, however.

The first game was a 8-1 loss against Class 4A, No. 6-ranked Iowa City West.

The Comets also faced a 13-3 loss to Charles City, a 12-0 shutout against Marshalltown and a 10-0 shutout against Waterloo East.

West Liberty looked to redeem itself Monday, July 5, at North Cedar, but fell short 10-9.

Cox began the game pitching, and gave up six hits, eight runs, six of which were earned and one walk. Martin provided relief midway through the second inning, but suffered the loss, giving up 10 hits, two earned runs, two walks and two strikeouts.

At bat, Wescott went 2-4 with a double and one run scored. Freshman Monica Rodriguez went 1-2 with an RBI. Martin went 1-4 with a double, two RBIs and one run scored. Freshman Hayley Simon had two walks and two runs scored. Feldman went 2-3 with a double, a triple, 3 RBIs and one run scored. Cox went 1-4 with two RBIs. Freshman Kathy Kaalberg had two stolen bases and one run scored while pinch running for junior Haley Smith.

The Comets were scheduled to travel to West Burlington yesterday (Wednesday, July 7) and begin regional play against West Branch today (Thursday, July 8).