Lady Hounds win 2-of-3 on weekend swing

BY CHUCK VANDENBERG

PCC EDITOR

GOOSE LAKE - Despite a six-run first inning in the final game of the three-game tourney, the Lady Hounds had things pretty well under control at the Goose Lake Tournament held in Goose Lake, Ia on Saturday.

The Hounds won the first two games of the tournament 5-3 over Monticello in eight innings, 3-0 over Goose Lake in the second game, but fell in the championship game 6-4 to Calamus-Wheatland.

The Lady Hounds jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning against Calamus-Wheatland.

Sadie Smithburg, Olivia Williams, and Kamryn Bailey all singled to open the game to load the bases for FMHS. Maycee Featheringill then singled scoring Smithburg but Williams was thrown out at home. Cassie Powers grounded out for the second out before Kylie Cashman drew a walk. Dalyn Wondra then singled scoring Bailey. Ivy Geerdes hit into a fielder's choice where everyone was safe scoring Featheringill. Vanessa Golowach popped out to short to end the inning.

Powers then gave up six runs in the bottom half of the inning, the only runs she would allow in the game. Samantha Pewe opened with a single and was driven in by Jenna Diercks who doubled in the next at bat. Powers hit the next hitter before getting Alyssa McElmeel to pop out to left field for the first out. Grace Elvert then walked and Addison Leupker scored two on a one-out single. Sammie Flagel reached on an error before Alison Boeckmann ground out to short. Addy Widel would single driving in the sixth run of the inning, but she would be caught stealing to retire the side.

The Hounds would put up another run in the fourth when Powers drove in Featheringill who had doubled to start the inning. Calamus was able to shut down the next two Hound hitters for the win, giving the Hounds second place in the tournament.

In the first game of the day, the tournament went to international rules regarding extra innings, which start with a runner on second base, to help with the hour and a half time limit imposed on each game.

FMHS's Vanessa Golowach took 2nd to start the inning. Smithburg flew out to center and Williams drew a walk to put two runners on. Bailey doubled driving in both Hound runners, but was thrown out at third stretching the hit to give the Hounds a 5-3 lead.

In the bottom half, Monticello put Taylor McDonald on second to start the inning, but Powers got the next two hitters to pop out in the infield. Jaylynn Kraus drew a walk, but Piper Hansen popped out to short to end the game. Smithburg, Williams, and Cashman scored the other runs for Fort Madison in the win.

In the second game against Goose Lake, eighth grader Katie Dennis threw a 3-0 shutout against the hosts. Dennis gave up five hits, two of which came in the bottom of the 7th. Dennis gave up two singles to start the inning, but after Valerie Spooner flew out to Bailey in left, Alexis Ehlers hit a grounder to second forcing the runner at second. Natalie Spooner advanced to third and Ehlers got caught in a run-down between first and second eventually being tagged out at second to end the game. Smithburg, Williams, and Featheringill scored for FMHS. Williams and Cashman each had an RBI in the game.

The Hounds travel to Keokuk tonight and then host Washington in a doubleheader Tuesday night to wrap up the regular season. They will host Keokuk on Thursday in the first round of the post season.