Vikings sail past Crusaders
Crusaders fall in close home opener
By: Hailey Hoffman
Crusaders softball kicked off the high school season against Lakeview on Friday, Aug. 21, at the Doniphan softball fields. The Crusaders fell to the Vikings 4-5 in a close season opener.
The Vikings pulled out the win despite the Crusaders seeing more success at the plate. The team had hits from freshmen Eva Tibbetts and Emily Price, sophomore Addy Bishop, and juniors Shaylee Meister and Ava Delgado.
Sophomore Leilani Soto notes that this success behind the plate is due to hard work in practice, saying, “We’re working more on timing and reading the ball; batting has progressed throughout practices and tournaments with hitting accuracy.”
The Crusaders took the early lead in the first inning. Delgado even slammed a homer into centerfield in the fifth. Despite early momentum for the Crusaders, the Vikings took the lead in the sixth inning and didn’t let go despite the Crusaders’ best efforts.
Pitchers Emily Price of the Crusaders and Cali Bentz of the Vikings both pitched well, so well that it may have been the one factor to sway the game in Lakeview's favor. Bentz, who has already committed to Nebraska softball, is known for her speedy throws. This speed turned out to be too much for the Crusaders late in the game.
“The pitcher we faced is committed to Nebraska and pitches 71 mph, which is the highest we will probably see all season,” said Bishop. “So it's exceptional for everyone when someone hits.”
Go check out the next Crusaders home game, Sept 9, against the Adams Central Patriots.