MFL MarMac softball team snags wins over Central, Clayton Ridge
By Audrey Posten, Times-Register
The MFL MarMac softball team went 2-3 last week, splitting a pair of doubleheaders with Central and Clayton Ridge and losing a non-conference match-up at Central City.
The Bulldogs won the June 20 opener against Central 8-7. Despite recording just one hit, they reached base six times due to walks or hit batters, and also benefitted from seven Warrior errors. Only four of MFL MarMac’s eight runs were considered earned.
Central cleaned up its defense in game two, however, and allowed just two Bulldog hits and five walks in a 5-1 victory. The Warrior bats, although plagued by 11 strikeouts, managed six hits against MFL MarMac and reached three times on errors.
The Bulldogs faced off against Clayton Ridge on June 22, losing game one 7-1. The score was knotted 1-1 after the fourth inning when the Eagles pushed across three runs in the bottom of the fifth and three more in the sixth.
Clayton Ridge tallied 10 hits against MFL MarMac pitching, including four extra base knocks. The Bulldog offense wasn’t so lucky, struggling to connect against Eagle pitcher Mariha Werger, who held them to just one hit and three walks. The only run scored against her was unearned.
In game two, the Bulldogs rebounded 5-1 for their second win of the week. The team was able to snag six hits off Werger this time. They also walked six times overall, and another five batters reached base after being hit.
Clayton Ridge matched MFL MarMac’s hit total, with six of their own, but couldn’t string them together for more than one run. The Eagles also struck out six times.
The Bulldogs finished out the week June 24, in a 10-0 loss at Central City, one of the top teams in Class 1A. The Wildcats racked up 15 hits and two walks in their victory, but it was pitcher Sara Reid who was the star. The senior allowed just two MFL MarMac hits and two walks in five innings, while striking out 11 batters.
MFL MarMac now sits at 8-22 overall and 6-8 in the Upper Iowa Conference heading into its final regular season games this week. The team will host a pair against North Fayette Valley on June 27, then wrap up the schedule June 29 at Waukon. The Bulldogs will host Postville on Friday, July 1, for the Class 2A - Region 8 playoff opener. Start time will be 7 p.m.