PLEASANTON — The game was closer than it had to be, but Humboldt High’s softball team took care of business and made it back to the state tournament for the second year in a row.
The Lady Cubs had to bear down to beat the Jayhawk-Linn Jayhawks 2-0. Every inning was needed in this game. Humboldt did hold the lead for the entirety of the game.
In the bottom of the first inning, Breanna Kline made it to second base on a deep fly ball that caromed off the glove of the left fielder. Kline made it into score on a fielder’s choice by Mallory Roush. The Lady Cubs led 1-0.
The score was the same until the bottom of the fourth inning. Courtney Richey, pitching for the Lady Cubs, helped her own cause by hitting a home run over the center field wall. The Lady Cubs led 2-0 and that was the final score.
Richey battled a small strike-zone the whole game, but was able to keep her shutout in tact.
“She always closes it down a lot,” coach Brad Piley said. “She stuck it out and battled for the win. She was also big with the stick.”
There were moments in the game that Humboldt could have opened up the scoring, but hit into bad luck instead.
“The bunt that we had with runners on first and second, that popped up for an out, that was big,” Piley said. “If we could have gotten that down I think we could have opened the game up a little bit more. Then, there was the girl sliding back into third and got tagged out. Had that gone our way, we probably could have gotten a couple of more runs and not made it as close as it was.”
Although Humboldt led throughout the game, that was in jeopardy in the top of the seventh inning. With Richey on the mound going for the complete game, she started the inning with her go-to out: The strikeout.
The next batter appeared to have hit into a ground out to the third baseman, but an errant throw allowed the Jayhawk runner to take first safely. Richey actually struck out the next batter, but a dropped third strike allowed the batter to get to first base. Runners were on first and second with only one out.
Richey didn’t help herself and walked the next batter to load the bases. She finally got the second out from the following batter, who hit a nub in front of the catcher. Richey fielded the ball and tagged home plate for the out.
Things got a little dicey with the last batter of the game. She drew a full count and had the bases loaded. A single could have tied the game, but no one on the field will know. Richey got a swinging strike for the punch out and win.
Richey gave up two hits, two walks and two hit batters. She struck out 12 and improved to 15-0 as a starter.
“We had some hits, but hit it right to their defense,” Piley said. “That’s going to happen sometimes.”
This will be the senior class’s third trip to state in four seasons. They made it their freshman, junior and now senior seasons.
Before Humboldt won the championship game, they beat Burlington 11-1 in five innings.
Richey also pitched in game one, going five innings, allowing on hit and striking out five.
Richey led the team with a single, double and home run with three RBIs. Kasey Beeman hit a home run and had three RBIs. Jaci Ross hit two singles, a double and had two RBIs. Sabrina Arell hit a single, had two doubles and an RBI. Mallory Roush hit a single, double and had an RBI. Brook Turner and Delaney Umholtz each hit a single.
Humboldt’s goal is to win a state championship this season, but Piley said the team will have to play better if they want to win at the state tournament.
Humboldt remains undefeated at 22-0. They play next Thursday in Manhattan at the Class 3A State Softball Tournament.
Lady Cubs earn trip back to state tournament
