Hart softball shutout by Kingsley in regional semifinals

By Brendan Samuels

The

Oceana

Echo

Sports Reporter

TRAVERSE CITY – The box score didn’t tell the whole story in Hart softball’s 8-0 loss to Kingsley in the regional semifinals Saturday, June 10. Hart recorded six hits to Kingsley’s seven and committed just two fielding errors to their opponent’s one. Ultimately, it came down to superior pitching for the Stags and early game struggles for the Pirates in the same arena.

The Pirates had their offense clicking early after Nora Chickering singled to lead off the batting order. With one out, Kelsey Copenhaver earned a walk and Gabby Schmieding singled. Quickly, the Pirates had the bases loaded and a chance to strike first. Kingsley recovered, however, retiring that frame without allowing Hart to cross home plate.

Copenhaver started the day pitching for Hart, and did well against the top of the Stags’ order, striking out two to leave the inning with the score knotted at zeroes.

Hart’s bats were active once again in the second inning, but they failed to take advantage of runners on the basepaths. Ambrielle Duncan and Chickering notched singles, but neither were batted in by teammates.

The Stags broke the tie in the bottom of the second inning. After a strikeout to start the frame for Copenhaver, three consecutive Stags were walked. With the bases loaded and two outs, Copenhaver struggled to find the strike zone, walking another and hitting a batter with a pitch to bring in two runs.

After watching Hart stall out in their half of the third, Kingsley built on their lead. Two walks and three base hits in the bottom of the third increased their lead to 5-0 in the blink of an eye. That would also spell the end of

Copenhaver’s day pitching, as the Pirates turned to Gabby Quijas in relief.

“(Pitching) was our biggest concern this year. We lost Finley Kistler last year, and she was big for us on the mound for four years,” DeVries said. “Kelsey is a sophomore, and I have nothing but praise for her today. She went in there and battled.

“I went right to (Quijas) when things got to be a little bit too much because I know she’s going to pound the zone and keep the other team off balance.”

Quijas gained confidence as she sat down the Stags after facing just four batters in the fourth inning. That allowed Hart the chance to gain momentum, and they had every chance to do so.

The top of the fifth inning started with Makenna Carrier earning a walk and then stealing second. Two batters