By: Matt Scher, matts@977thebolt.com
Humboldt, IA – Abby Armitage lifted the Humboldt Wildcats to a 15-7 win over Garner-Hayfield-Ventura (GHV) Cardinals in six innings in the Class 3A-Region 4 First Round with her second two-run homerun of the game Thursday night at Humboldt High School.
It was a big night for Armitage who had two two-run homers, a double and six RBIs in the win.
GHV took the early 1-0 lead in the top of the first, but the Cardinals lead would disappear quickly. Humboldt would score four runs in the first, including the two-run homerun by Armitage. The Cardinals would add a run in the second inning to cut the Humboldt lead to 4-2. The bottom of the second saw Humboldt score three more runs to increase their lead to 7-2. GHV scratched across three runs in the top of the third inning to again close the deficit to two runs and added a run in the top of the fourth to trail Humboldt 7-6.
The Wildcats opened the game up with a five-run fourth inning to take a 12-6 lead going into the fifth inning, where they added a run to increase their lead to 13-6. GHV scored a run in the top of the sixth to close the gap to 13-7 before Armitage hit a walk-off two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth for the eight run victory in six innings.
In the circle, Adalee Nolting pitched a complete game of six innings, allowing seven runs (six earned) on 13 hits. Offensively, Armitage led Humboldt with a 3-5 night, registering two two-run home runs and a double along with six RBIs and three runs scored. Additionally, Nolting was 2-4, Gracie Lyon was 2-4 with three runs scored, Clarie Dieleman was 3-4 with a run scored and a RBI, Elsie Hubbell was 1-1 with two runs scored and a RBI runs scored, Sadie Hubbell was 2-4 with a double, two runs scored, and a RBI, Ava Newton was 1-3 with a run scored and a RBI, and Landry Lash was 2-2 with a double, a run scored, and a RBI.
Humboldt Head Softball Coach Erica Post on the win.
Humboldt improves to 15-13 overall and will head to Eagle Grove (16-10) Saturday night after the Eagles won 9-1 over Clarion-Goldfield-Dows in five innings.
First pitch is slated for 7 p.m. at Greenwood Park in Eagle Grove Saturday night.