Lady Jays Softball
Pierce Competes at Conference Softball
By Lydia Cone
After rescheduling twice due to the rainy weather and wet fields, the Bluejays traveled to Wayne to compete in the Mid-State conference softball tournament on Friday, October 2.
The first game for the Bluejays was against the Wayne Blue Devils, and they lost, 10-2. The Bluejays scored a run in the first inning, and Wayne was kept to none; they tallied one more run in the third.
Athena Bretschneider hit a double for Pierce, as well as had two stolen bases. Evelyn Skrdla also had two stolen bases.
Joslynn Kraft was the pitcher for the Bluejays, facing 31 batters and allowing 11 hits.
The Bluejays then faced the O’Neill Eagles. The final score was 16-1, in favor of the Eagles. The Bluejays scored their run in the third inning.
Recording hits for the Bluejays were Skrdla, Eleanor Bauermeister, and Jessa Kraft. The lone point came after Kraft’s single to the center fielder, which allowed Raegan Lambrecht to score.
Jo. Kraft and Skrdla were the pitchers in this game.
Bluejays Come Back Strong Against Polk County
By Kinley Hilkemann
After losing to Polk County earlier in the season, the Pierce Bluejays came back ready for another change Thursday, and the Bluejays took advantage of a late scoring opportunity to defeat Polk County 4-3.
The Bluejays took an early lead in the third inning when Jessa Kraft doubled to bring home a run. After Polk County tied the game in the fourth, Pierce answered in the fifth inning when Kraft recorded another double to put the Bluejays back in front.
Polk County tied the game again in the sixth, setting up a close finish.
With the score tied 3 in the bottom of the sixth, Joslynn Kraft hit a single that drove in the winning run. Pierce then held Polk County scoreless in the seventh to finish the 4-3 victory.
“It felt amazing; all the hard work and preparation paid off in that moment. I was just really happy to help my team win and make a big play when we needed it most,” outfielder Jo. Kraft said.
Je. Kraft led the Bluejays offensively, going 3-for-4 with two doubles and a single.
Kaelyn Halsey pitched all seven innings to earn the win. She allowed three hits and three runs, with only one earned run, while striking out six and walking one.
“I think that our defense was really strong and working really well together very smoothly, and our bats were there to back it up,” Halsey said.
The win gave the Bluejays a chance to respond after their earlier loss to Polk County and showed their ability to stay composed in a close game. After battling through a tied game and coming through with the go-ahead run in the sixth inning, Pierce was able to finish strong and hold onto the lead.
