By: Matt Scher, matts@977thebolt.com
Fort Dodge, IA – The Humboldt softball team scored first but couldn’t keep pace with fifth-ranked St. Edmond, falling 11-1 in four innings Wednesday night at Harlan Rogers Sports Complex.
The Wildcats grabbed an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when a throwing error allowed Claire Dieleman to score from third. St. Edmond answered immediately with six runs in the bottom of the inning, highlighted by a three-run home run from Rihanna Myers, and never looked back.
The Gaels added one run in the second inning and four more in the fourth to end the game by the 10-run rule.
Hayden Graff took the loss for Humboldt after allowing six runs, three earned, in two-thirds of an inning. Adalee Nolting pitched the final 3 1/3 innings in relief, surrendering five runs, two earned.
Offensively, Abby Armitage led the Wildcats with two singles. Dieleman and Graaf each doubled, while Nolting, Jazzie Dodd and Elyse Olsen added singles.
Humboldt head coach Sheridan Zeka said confidence remains a key area of focus for her team.
“I think it’s tough when the other team is hitting the ball, and right now we’re struggling with thinking that means we’re done. We’ve got to change that mindset, and we’ve got to realize we can put runs on the board too. We have to have confidence in each other and ourselves, and that’s a big adjustment we need to make.”
The loss marked Humboldt’s third defeat of the season to St. Edmond and dropped the Wildcats to 5-10 (3-6 NCC). Humboldt is back at home Thursday night to host Forest City in non-conference action. First pitch is at 7:30 p.m.