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Bears earn first win by defeating Knights
by Norv and Mary Coblentz · Sports · June 08, 2017
After a 0-6 start to the season, the West Branch softball team turned it around last week, winning five of six.
On June 1, the Bears beat North Cedar 9-3 for their first home win of the season.
“(We’re) hitting the ball a little better,” West Branch Head Coach Kevin Kaalberg said. “(We’re) playing more solid defense (which) makes a big difference. (We’re geting out of innings faster.
“They’re working, they’re coming along. Probably not as sharp mentally as we were Tuesday night (in their win at Cascade), but we still played well.
“We had a few mental errors in the beginning of the game, but we cut back on that the rest of the time and played solid.
“I told them it was an efficient win. They went about their business and got it done. We’ve got to turn around and play four more games in two days.”
The Bears used both of their most experienced pitchers in the win.
“(Kaiya) Luneckas is going to come in and throw hard, and everybody knows it. That’s what she does, and she does it well.
“Hanna (Tisinger) gets more movement on her pitches, so it’s a nice combination to have.”
The Bears retired the side in order to start the game. The first batter grounded out to shortstop DaLana Kron, who threw to Kaylaa Montgomery at first base for the out. The next batter popped out to Chloe Pence at catcher. A line out to Nicki Henson at second base ended the half-inning.
Taylor Thein got a one-out single to right center field and stole second base in the first. She advanced to third base on a passed ball. A pop out to second base and a strikeout left Thein stranded.
The Knights lined out to Henson at second base to start the second inning. The next batter singled to left center field. Tisinger got a strikeout. The runner stole second base. A single put runners at the corners with two outs. Tisinger got another strikeout to end the threat.
The Bears got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the second. Kron led off with a single down the third base line. She took second base on a passed ball. The next batter struck out. Kron advanced to third base on a passed ball and scored on an error. Lexie Peake bunted and took second on the throw home. A pop out and a strikeout ended the inning. The Bears had a 1-0 lead.
In the top of the third, Kron got all three outs on a pop out, a line out, and a ground out.
West Branch scored five runs in their half of the inning. Henson reached on an error on the third baseman. Thein hit the ball sharply to left field. Montgomery singled to center field to load the bases. Pence singled and scored Hansen. Kron singled to shallow left field scoring Thein. A strikeout and a pop out in foul territory gave the Knights two outs. Maddy Hatfield doubled to center field scoring Montgomery and Pence. Courtney Jarrett reached on an error scoring Kron. The next batter grounded out to the pitcher to end the inning.
The Knights scored a run in the top of the fourth on a couple of singles and a sacrifice. A fielder’s choice and a bounce out to the pitcher ended the half-inning.
In the bottom of the fourth, the first batter was out on a bunt, and Montgomery reached on an error on the center fielder. She was left on base after a pop out to left field and a ground out.
North Cedar scored their two other runs in the top of the fifth. Thein made a terrific catch in center field for the first out. After a walk, Luneckas came in to pitch. A ball hit just fair down the first base line scored a run. A run scored on a passed ball. Luneckas got a strike out and a groundout to Hatfield at third base to end the half-inning.
The Bears got an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth. The first two batters were out, then Hatfield reached on an error on the North Cedar first baseman. Jarrett tripled to right field, scoring Hatfield. A pop out ended the inning. The Bears had an 8-3 lead.
After a lead-off single and a stolen base, Luneckas got three strikeouts, the second two looking, to end the top of the sixth.
Thein hit a homerun over the left field fence to start the bottom of the sixth. The next batter popped out. Pence doubled, but a fly out to center field and a ground out to second base ended the inning. West Branch had a 9-3 lead.
The Knights did not score in the top of the seventh. Luneckas struck the first batter out. The second grounded out to Kron at shortstop. The next batter hit the ball to Luneckas for the out. The final score was 9-3.
“We were working a lot of just bunts in practice and fielding ground balls this past week, but we’ve just got to field cleanly and make a good throw,” North Cedar Head Coach Carrie Martin said. “That’s what killed us tonight.”
About Luneckas, Martin said, “We haven’t seen anybody with that much speed this year (before tonight).”
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R
NC 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 3
WB 0 1 6 0 1 1 x 9
West Branch stats: Nicki Henson 1-4, 1 run; Taylor Thein 3-4, 2 runs, 1 homerun, 1 RBI, 1 stolen base; Kaylee Montgomery 1-4; Chloe Pence 2-4, 2 runs, 1 double, 1 RBI; DaLana Kron 2-4, 2 runs, 1 RBI; Lexie Peak 1-2, 1 RBI; Maddy Hatfield 1-3, 2 runs, 1 double, 3 RBIs; Courtney Jarrett 2-3, 1 double, 2 RBIs. Pitching: Hanna Tisinger pitched 4 1/3 innings for the win. She gave up three earned runs on six hits. She walked one and struck out one. Kaiya Luneckas pitched 2 2/3 innings. She allowed zero runs on one hit. She walked one and struck out six.
North Cedar stats: Alyssa Barnhart 1 run, 1 walk; Morgan Sander 1-4, 1 double, 1 RBI; Anna Petersen 1-3, 1 run; Hannah Bachman 1-3; Kassidie Galloway 1-2, 2 stolen bases, 1 walk; Katie Thompson 1 RBI, 1 stolen base; Taylor Terley 1-3, 1 run. Pitching: Alyssa Barnhart pitched six innings and took the loss. She gave up nine runs, two earned, on 10 hits. She walked zero and struck out five.
West Branch 13, Cascade 2
May 30 at Western Dubuque
The Bears picked up their first win of the season on the road, defeating Cascade 13-2. Kaiya Luneckas pitched the full game for the Bears. She struck out 15 and allowed just one earned run and walking only two. She helped her own cause with a solo homerun. Taylor Thein was 2-2 at the plate with a homerun. Nicki Henson was 4-4 and scored three runs. Chloe Pence, DaLana Kron, and Taylor Tisinger each scored a run. Courtney Jarrett and Lexie Peak each crossed home plate twice.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R
WB 0 1 1 6 0 1 4 13
Cas. 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 2
West Branch stats: Nicki Henson 4-4, 3 runs; Taylor Thein 2-2, 2 runs, 1 homerun; Kaylee Montgomery 2-5, 1 double, 4 RBIs; Chloe Pence 1-1, 1 run, 1 stolen base; DaLana Kron 1-4, 1 run; Kaiya Luneckas 1-3, 1 run, 1 homerun, 1 RBI; Taylor Tisinger 1-1, 1 run; Maddy Hatfield 3-4, 1 double, 1 RBI; Courtney Jarrett 2 runs, 1 RBI, 1 stolen base. Pitching: Kaiya Luneckas pitched seven innings and earned the win. She gave up two runs, one earned, on six hits. She walked two and struck out 15.
Cascade stats: Lisa Tucker 2-3, 2 runs, 1 homerun, 1 RBI, 1 walk; Noelle Green 1 walk; Laura Kremer 1-3, 1 RBI; Annie Meyer 2-3, 1 stolen base. Pitching: Laura Kremer pitched four innings and took the loss for Cascade. She allowed eight runs, seven earned, on eight hits. She walked zero and struck out three. Hailey Hannon pitched three innings. She gave up five runs, two earned, on four hits. She walked zero and struck out three.
West Branch 11, Vinton-S’burg 1
June 2 at West Branch tourney
The Bears 10-runned Vinton-Shellsburg in five innings. Taylor Thein, Chloe Pence, Bailey Donohoe, and Courtney Jarrett each hit a double. Nicki Henson, Thein, and Donohoe each scored two runs.
1 2 3 4 5 R
VS 0 0 1 0 0 1
WB 1 1 8 0 1 11
West Branch stats: Nicki Henson 3-4, 2 runs, 1 stolen base; Taylor Thein 3-4, 2 runs, 1 double, 3 RBIs; Kaylee Montgomery 3-3, 1 run, 3 RBIs; Chloe Pence 1-3, 1 run, 1 double, 1 RBI; DaLana Kron 1-3, 1 run, 1 RBI; Maddie Hatfield 1 RBI; Annika Olson 1 run, 1 stolen base; Lexie Peake 1 run, 1 stolen base; Bailey Donohoe 1-2, 1 double, 1 walk; Courtney Jarrett 1-2, 1 run, 1 double, 2 RBIs, 1 walk. Pitching: Kaiya Luneckas pitched three innings for the win. She gave up one earned run on three hits. She walked two and struck out seven. Hanna Tisinger pitched two innings. She allowed no runs on no hits. She walked none and struck out four.
Vinton-Shellsburg stats: Elisabeth Davis 1-3, 1 run, 1 double, 1 stolen base; Elly Gloede 1-3, 1 RBI, 1 stolen base; Olivia Erhardt 1 walk; Hannah Kalous 1-2, 1 stolen base; Natalie Boyer 1 walk; Lauren Upmeyer 1 walk. Pitching: Alex Maynard pitched two innings and took the loss. She gave up five runs, two earned, on five hits. She walked zero and struck out zero. Katelyn O’Brien pitched 1 2/3 innings. She allowed one earned run on one hit. She walked zero and struck out two. Rachel Tandy pitched one inning. She allowed five unearned runs on two hits. She walked two and struck out one.
West Branch 4, Washington 6
June 2 at West Branch tourney
The Bears’ only loss in their home tourney was to Washington. Taylor Thein was 3-3 at the plate with a double and two RBIs. Nicki Henson was 3-3.
1 2 3 4 5 6 R
Wash. 0 0 0 0 2 4 6
WB 2 0 0 0 1 1 4
West Branch stats: Nicki Henson 3-3, 1 run, 1 stolen base; Taylor Thein 3-3, 1 run, 1 double, 2 RBIs, 1 stolen base; DaLana Kron 1-2, 1 run, 1 walk; Lexie Peak 1-3, 1 stolen base; Bailey Donahoe 1-2; Courney Jarrett 1-2. Pitching: Kaiya Luneckas pitched five innings. She gave up three runs, two earned, on four hits. She walked one and struck out seven. Hanna Tisinger pitched 1/3 inning and took the loss. She gave up three unearned runs on two hits. She walked zero and struck out one.
Washington stats: Jessie Buchholz 2-4, 1 run, 1 double, 2 RBIs, 1 stolen base; Alexa Mitchell 1 RBI; Morgan Brinning 2-3, 1 double; Kaitlyn Mitchell 1-2, 1 walk; Megan Mitchell 1-3, 1 run; Haylee Wilson 1-3, 1 run; Kellie Dallmeyer 1-2, 2 runs, 1 RBI, 1 stolen base; Sydney Clark 2 runs. Pitching: Alexa Mitchell pitched six innings for the win.
West Branch 14, Lone Tree 3
June 2 at West Branch tourney
The Bears 10-runned the Lions in four innings. Nicki Henson was 3-4 at the plate with three runs and five stolen bases. Chloe Pence was 3-3 with a double, two triples and three RBIs. DaLana Kron was 2-2 with two runs and two RBIs. Kaylee Montgomery hit a double.
1 2 3 4 5 R
LT 1 0 2 0 0 3
WB 2 5 4 3 x 14
West Branch stats: Nicki Henson 3-4, 3 runs, 5 stolen bases; Taylor Thein 1-2, 3 runs, 3 stolen bases, 2 walks; Kaylee Montgomery 1-1, 1 run, 1 double, 1 RBI, 1 walk; Mackenzie Heise 1 run, 1 RBI, 1 walk; Chloe Pence 3-3, 2 runs, 1 double, 2 triples, 3 RBIs, 1 walk; DaLana Kron 2-2, 2 runs, 2 RBIs, 2 stolen bases; Maddy Hatfield 1-2, 1 RBI; Annika Olson 1 run, 1 stolen base; Lexie Peak 1-2; Bailey Donohoe 1 run, 1 RBI, 1 stolen base, 2 walks. Pitching: Hanna Tisinger pitched 2 1/3 innings and got the win. She gave up three runs, one earned, on four hits. She walked one and struck out two. Kaiya Luneckas pitched 1 2/3 innings. She gave up zero runs on one hit. She walked one and struck out two.
Lone Tree stats: Chloe Jacque 1-3, 2 runs, 1 stolen base, 1 walk; Abby Buckman 1-2, 1 run, 1 RBI; Lillisan Miller 1 RBI; Kaycee Kane 1 walk; Whitney Willoz 1-2, 1 RBI; Skylar Petit 1-2; Hannah Boxell 1-2. Pitching: Chloe Jacque pitched 4 1/3 innings and took the loss. She gave up 14 runs, 12 earned, on 10 hits. She walked eight and struck out six.
West Branch 9, Sigourney 6
June 2 at West Branch tourney
The Bears beat Sigourney. Chloe Pence and Maddy Hatfield each hit a double. Kaylee Montgomery and Lexie Peake each had two RBIs.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R
Sig. 0 1 2 1 0 2 0 6
WB 1 0 2 4 1 1 0 9
West Branch stats: Nicki Henson 1-2, 2 runs, 2 stolen bases, 1 walk; Taylor Thein 1o2, 1 run, 2 stolen bases, 1 walk; Kaylee Montgomery 2-3, 1 run, 2 RBIs, 1 stolen base, 1 walk; Chloe Pence 2-4, 1 run, 1 double, 1 stolen base; DaLana Kron 2-2, 2 runs, 2 stolen bases, 2 walks; Taylor Tisinger 1 RBI, 2 walks; Lexie Peak 1-4, 2 RBIs; Maddy Hatfield 2-4, 1 run, 1 double, 1 RBI; Annika Olson 1 run. Pitching: Kaiya Luneckas pitched 3 1/3 innings. She gave up four earned runs on three hits. She walked five and struck out two,. Hanna Tisinger pitched 2 1/3 innings and got the win. She gave up two earned runs on four hits. She walked zero.
Sigourney stats: Autumn Barthelman 1 run, 2 stolen bases; Brooke Waechter 2-4, 2 RBIs, 1 stolen base; Summer Barthelman 1 run, 1 stolen base, 1 walk; Madison Schauf 1-2, 1 double, 1 walk; Megan Stuhr 1-3, 1 double, 1 RBI; Kendall Streigle 1-3, 1 run, 1 double, 1 stolen base; Leah Carter 2-2, 1 double, 2 RBIs, 1 walk; Jordan VanEa 1-1, 1 run. Pitching: Jordan VanEa pitched two innings and took the loss. She gave up three earned runs on two hits. She walked seven and struck out two. Kendall Streigle pitched four innings. She gave up six runs, two earned, on eight hits. She walked zero and struck out five.
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