Comet girls avenge Anamosa

After losing to Anamosa earlier in week, West Liberty wins softball tournament

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The West Liberty High School girls softball team captured six wins this past week, four of which come via the mercy rule enroute to capturing a tournament title at Anamosa Saturday.

Starting the week with 10-0 and 12-0 victories over Tipton before falling to Anamosa on Tuesday, the Comets of coach Chad Libby rebounded from their loss to beat Northeast Thursday before going 3-0 at the Anamosa tournament and capturing revenge on the Blue Raiders.

Following the week of play, the Comets improved to 11-3 on the season and 8-2 in River Valley Conference play.

The week began with a visit from Tipton. The Tigers, who are winless in conference play, struggled to keep the Comet bats contained, as the Comets scored three in the first inning.

The hit parade continued for the Comets, scoring two runs in the second, third, and fourth innings to take a 9-0 lead before pushing across the final run in the fifth inning to capture the mercy rule victory in game one.

Three Comets pushed across two RBI’s including eighth grader Ady Bell, highlighting the Comets offense, going two for two.

Pitchers Janey Gingerich and Sailor Hall combined for the complete game shutout of the Tigers in game one, Gingerich recording the win. Hall also batted two for three with a single and a triple, collecting a pair of RBI’s.

The Comet bats stayed hot throughout the second game as well, capturing the 12-0 victory in three innings. Sailor Hall shined again for the Comets in game two, the junior pitching two innings, recording two strikeouts defensively while going one for two at the plate with a triple and driving in four Comet runners.

Eighth grader Ava Morrison came in for the close from the mound for the Comets, recording two strikeouts in her one innings of work.

On Tuesday, the Comets hosted Class 3A sixth ranked Anamosa. The two teams put on a defensive showcase throughout the first four innings, holding each other scoreless thanks to pitching efforts and defensive stands.

The Blue Raiders broke though in the top of the fifth inning, pushing across one run to take the slim lead. The Comets, failed to convert on their scoring opportunities before Anamosa padded their lead in the seventh, scoring three more runs. The Comets fell 4-0.

Pearson and Sailor Hall would be the lone Comets to record hits in the outing. Janey Gingerich pitched three innings and fanned three batters. Sailor Hall pitched the final four innings, striking out five.

On Thursday, the Comets took the long bus rider for their matchup against Northeast. They pushed across one run in the first inning which was matched by Northeast in their half of the opening frame. Northeast took the lead with a second run in the second innings a the Comets trailed 2-1.

A three-run fourth gave the Comets the separation they needed. The Rebels fought valiantly, but were unable to hold off the Comet offense as West Librty coasted to a 9-4 victory.

Saturday brought a trip to Anamosa for the Blue Raiders annual tournament. First up for the Comets was a matchup against Dyke-New Hartford. The teams held each other scoreless in the first two innings before the Comets broke through in the third, bringing across three.

The Comets captured two more in the fourth accompanied by four in the fifth. The Wolverines lone run came in the top of the sixth inning and proved not enough as the Comets pushed across seven to take the 16-1 victory.

Sailor Hall pitched all six innings for the Comets, recording five strikeouts on two hits and allowing one earned run. Nine Comets combined for their 13 total RBI’s.

West Liberty than faced East Buchannan, wasting no time, as they jumped ahead to a 7-0 advantage in the first inning. The teams held each other scoreless until the Comets broke through in the top of the fourth with eight more runs to capture the 15-0 victory.

Janey Gingerich and Ava Morrison combined to shutout the Buccaneers, recording a combined three strikeouts on three hits. Sophomore Kylie Struck led the Comets offensively, going one for two at the plate and recording two RBI’s. She was joined by Brooklyn Buysee and Isabel Morrison, who also recorded two RBI’s each.

The Comets ended their busy week with a grudge match against Anamosa for the tournament championship. After a scoreless first inning, the Comets broke through in the top of the second, pushing across one off an RBI by Isabel Morrison.

Anamosa responded in their half of the second, bringing across their lone run. The teams held each other scoreless until the fourth, when sophomore Brooklyn Buysee hit a three-run home run to give the Comets the 4-1 advantage. The Comet defense held off the strong Anamosa offense to capture the 4-1 victory.

Sailor Hall pitched her second complete game of the day, fanning seven on three hits and giving up one earned run.

The Comets hit the road this week, heading to Monticello Thursday and Bellevue Friday. Their road trip continues Monday as they head to Durant for a double header beginning at 5 p.m.

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