The Wildcats got going early offensively and took an early 2-0 lead in the first on a two-RBI triple by Hayden Graff.
“Well, it was kind of nerve-wracking at first, but then I got up there and just took all the nerves out and kind of just hit and just let it go,” Graff said.
The Wildcats would add a run in the second inning off a wild pitch.
In the circle, Humboldt’s Adalee Nolting pitched a complete game of seven innings, allowing no runs on five hits, no walks, two hit batters, and nine strikeouts in the winning effort.
“I think that it was really a team effort, and teammates all kept each other up and together, and just teamwork is a huge thing.”
Humboldt Wildcats head softball coach Sheridan Zeka on the victory.
“It feels good after taking one on the chin from Fort Dodge and then traveling down to Johnston just to see some high-level competition, and then taking that and using everything we learned and translating that into a game has been incredible. Today felt really good.”
For Zeka, her first win comes against a program she coached the previous six seasons in Southeast Valley.
“I knew when I took this job that this would be a game. It’s the first game of the season every year, usually for both programs, and mentally I thought I was ready for it, but all day my stomach was in my throat. Those girls mean a lot to me, and as much as I love winning, I hate to see them lose, but everybody today played really well. The emotions, they were there. I love those kids, but we got to keep grinding and keep moving on,” Zeka said.
With the win, Humboldt improves to 1-1 on the season and is set to host the No. 8 (1A) St. Edmond Gaels to begin North Central Conference play on Friday. Southeast Valley fell to 0-1 and hosts South Central Calhoun on Thursday.