Cyclones softball falls to 0-7 to open their season

The HCHS Cyclones softball team was in a tight battle with the 3-3 Lewis Central Titans, trailing by just three runs after the first inning, and four runs after the third inning, dropping their match Wednesday night against them 10-1.

“We’re just trying to keep them positive,” said Cyclone Head Coach Tarah Devlin-Lawler. “Get their minds to change back to a different mentality and make sure that the girls are still working hard and putting pieces together. We continue to see them get stronger in different aspects.”

Freshman Camryn Goshorn got the ball to start the night in the circle for the Cyclones giving up a 3-spot in the top of the first inning, along with one run in the fourth, and three more in the seventh.

Despite the early struggles, Devlin-Lawler is confident in Goshorn’s abilities and that she’ll continue to grow and develop her skills.

“Camryn is really starting to come into herself and get the ball going,” she said. “As a freshman, I think she’s doing well, and she’s got some defense to back her up.”

The Cyclones were able to score a run in the bottom of the fourth inning when Freshman Taylor Heese opened the inning with a single, and would later came in to score on a throw down to second base that went into the outfield at the time putting the Cyclones down 4-1. It was be the first run the Cyclones would score in 16 innings after getting shutout the previous night in both games of a doubleheader against Creston losing 12-0 and 7-0.

“It was nice to get a run on the scoreboard,” Devlin-Lawler said. “We’re really working on trying to get runners on so that we can make some stuff happen. Get the bats going and just try to score more, because you can’t win a game without scoring.”

The Cyclones fall to 0-7 on the season with this loss, but return to action less than 24 hours later with a match at home against the Denison Monarchs, who are also looking for their first win of the season.

Offensively, the Monarchs are led by Ann Wessel with three hits, batting .375, and Gaby Cardenas with two runs batted in. In the circle, Claire Leinen has 23 strikeouts with a 7.14 earned run average in 16 2/3 innings pitched.

“We’ve got to work on our mental game,” Devlin-Lawler added. “Getting out of our heads and go out and play the game. The girls know what to do and we just need to get out of our heads and go out and want the win. Not only want the win, but be determined to get the win.”