Tonganoxie softball rolls past Bishop Ward
Some lightning and torrential rain couldn’t dampen the Tonganoxie High softball team’s 2016 debut last week.
THS swept Bishop Ward, 18-1 and 19-0, but had to wait out some rough weather during the second game. Already with a commanding lead, teams and fans took shelter. After the delay THS added enough runs to institute the mercy rule and the Chieftains improved to 2-0 on the season.
Chieftain coach Stephanie Wittman said THS swept an improved Ward team from a year ago.
THS had just a 3-1 lead after two innings and a 5-1 lead after three innings. The game was within reach at that time, but a 13-run fourth inning put the game away.
Asked about how the rain delay affected the team, Wittman said her team responded well after the break. It was a good situation to experience, Wittman said, noting that it’s springtime and her team should expect more potential rain delays.
Mackenzie Sample, led the team in the first game with 4 RBI, while Taylor Lee and Audrey Miller each had 2 RBI. Miller also registered 2 walks.
Reagan Bennett and Sample each led the team with 3 hits, with Delaney Fenoglio connecting for 2 hits. Miller and Lee each had a double, Fenoglio had a triple and a homerun. Sample had 3 homers in the game.
Fenoglio also went 3 innings on the mound, recording two strikeouts. Lizzy Mills pitched the final inning and also recorded a strikeout.
THS finished the game with 18 runs on 15 hits and no errors. Ward scored a run on 3 hits and 2 errors.
In the second game, Tonganoxie picked up where it left off in the first game.
The Chieftains had another 13-run inning in the first inning. The rain came in the second inning, but THS eventually scored 6 more runs and won, 19-0, in three innings.
Torrissa Hootman, Howard and Miller led the team with 3 RBI each. Sample had 3 walks and Halley Calovich 2.
Miller led the team in the game with 3 hits, while Howard and Sierra Graham each connected for 2 hits. Howard also had a homer in the game.
Howard pitched 2 innings, striking out 2. Fenoglio pitched an inning and struck out one Cyclone.
Tonganoxie played Tuesday at Perry-Lecompton after The Mirror’s print deadline. For more about the games, go to tonganoxiemirror.com or follow us at @tonganoxie on Twitter and on The Mirror’s Facebook page.
The Chieftains have a bit of a hiatus after Tuesday’s doubleheader. The team doesn’t return to action with an April 12 doublheader against Bonner Springs. The first game starts at 4 p.m. at ht eLeavenworth County Fairgrounds.