CUSTER — Mason County Eastern struggled to play well in all facets of the game in its softball doubleheader with Holton on Monday. As a result, the Cardinals came away with a split, losing the opening game, 11-5, and winning the nightcap, 2-1.
“We fielded in one game and we hit well in one game but we couldn’t do both at the same time,” said Eastern coach Bill Cole.
The one constant was pitching.
In the opening game loss, Eastern had nine hits and “close to that many errors,” according to Cole.
“In the second game, we had one error and three hits,” Cole added.
Kara Bryan pitched well in the opening game loss for Eastern, according to Cole. She went the distance, allowing 10 hits and 11 runs, only two of which were earned, striking out five and walking three.
“Obviously, we’re just too nice of a team,” said Cole. “I don’t mind other teams earning it. Today we just had too many errors. It just seems that no matter who we’ve played this year, they’ve always capitalized on it.”
Holton led 6-1 early and Eastern cut it to one, 6-5, before struggling defensively.
For Eastern, Crisha Barrett was three for our and Courtney Harris was two for two with a double and two runs scored.
Cole shook up his lineup in the nightcap.
“We switched six positions around ini the second game,” he said. “That’s not something you want to do going into tournaments.”
It worked.
“We field the ball this time. One error. We just couldn’t hit,” Cole added.
Melanie Stickney pitched the nightcap and threw a one-hitter. She struck out nine and hit one batter while yielding one unearned run.
For Eastern, Stephanie Eichmeier doubled in a run, Barrett also had a double, Jess Budzynski had a hit and scored a run and Nikke Kolean also scored.
The game-winning run came in the sixth on a walk, a wild pitch, a bunt and a sacrifice fly.
Now 21-10, Eastern hosts Evart on Wednesday.
Reprinted with permission from the Ludington Daily News.