By NATE BEIER | For the County Line
The regular-season finale between Royall and Necedah featured two teams hoping to finish no worse than .500 in conference play. But the hosting Cardinals took the 4–1 win and force a series split for the season.
The Panthers put runners on the bases in the first inning, as Cheyenne Harris and Molly Olson both singled. Kirstin Lunde hit into a fielder’s choice that resulted in a force out at third.
After the Cardinals finished the top of the first, they put their offense to work, as Kyra Saylor and Braedynn Jones singled and doubled, respectively. Saylor scored on the double, and an error by the defense on a hit by Gabby Willhorn allowed Jones to come home.
Royall didn’t allow a run in the second inning, ending the frame with a double play. Kaylin Gruen fielded the ball in left and threw to Rachel Waterman at second, who flipped the ball to first for the final out.
Gruen opened the third inning with a double, which set up the Panthers’ lone scoring opportunity. Olson singled to score her teammate two batters later.
Necedah’s Valerie Williams singled and drove in two in the bottom of the third.
Royall threatened again in the third, as Waterman reached on a fielder’s choice. Ally Friedl reached on an error and Gruen loaded the bases with single, but the team would not drive in another run.
The two teams played to a stalemate the next 2 1/2 innings as the side was retired in order. A single by Harris in the top of the seventh was the only hit the rest of the game.
Necedah went on to win 4–1 on the strength of just four hits and two errors. Royall had seven hits and a single error.
Gruen, Harris, Olson each had two hits. Claire Herek had the other hit. Braedynn Jones was 1–2 with one RBI and two runs scored for Necedah.
Harris and Olson each pitched three innings. Harris took the loss. The duo recorded four strikeouts and four walks and allowed just four hits.