Washington Softball

Warriors put up fight; J-Hawks still sweep

It wasn’t very pretty.

Jefferson didn’t play to its usual high level. Washington wasn’t stellar, but it came ready to play.

No. 6 Jefferson played well enough to post a pair of softball wins. The J-Hawks won the first game, 6-0, then took the nightcap, 9-4, despite some sloppy play.

"The second game was hard to watch,” Jefferson Coach Larry Niemeyer said. “Our hitting was below average, our fielding was below average, our pitching was below average.”

Washington stuck around in the nightcap and made it more interesting than the J-Hawks (19-4, 12-1 MVC) would have liked. The Warriors (3-18, 1-15) battled back late in the game to put some unexpected pressure on the J-Hawks. Washington cut the J-Hawk lead to 6-4 before Jefferson eventually pulled away.

“We are a team that is going to fight for all seven innings,” Washington Coach Fanaye Wooldrik said. “We are a young team but we will outwork people. Hopefully, it will help us at the end of the year.”

The J-Hawks took the opener 6-0 in typical J-Hawk fashion, relying on the pitching of junior ace Hannah Petersen, who allowed just three hits.

“She’s a phenomenal pitcher, one of the best in the state,” Wooldrik said. “Our kids had a good mentality, (but) hats off to her, she throws great.”

While Petersen dominated in the circle, the J-Hawk offense put together a big second inning off Warrior pitcher sophomore Kristen Peterson. Jefferson strung together six hits to score six runs. The inning was capped off by back-to-back two-run singles by Petersen and junior Kenna Fry.

In the nightcap, the J-Hawks got on the board in the second when junior Carson Burgart doubled home sophomore Maddie Koolbeck, who had been hit by a pitch.

Jefferson added three in the third, sparked by Petersen's two-run double. They got two more in the fourth to take a 6-0 lead.

The Warriors got an unearned run in the fifth inning off senior Katie Naber. Washington then added three in the sixth off sophomore Brooke Stauffer. Run-scoring groundouts by freshman Hannah Schroeder and eighth grader Bree Linville narrowed the gap to 6-4.

Jefferson tacked on three runs in the sixth inning to put the game away.

Junior Rachel Sedlacek went 3-for-4 with an RBI and three stolen bases for Jefferson. Senior Jordan Birkicht-Carr scored twice and doubled for the Warriors. Birkicht-Carr also had a double in the first game.

Jefferson junior Carson Burgart was 2-for-3 in both games.

“I kept my hands back and waited to the ball,” Burgart said.

Jefferson plays a doubleheader at Cedar Falls on Wednesday night and at Kennedy on Thursday. Washington plays a doubleheader at Dubuque Hempstead on Thursday.

GAME 1

WASHINGTON (0)
Gail Burnum, LF, 3 0 1 0, Bria Lenten, 3B, 3 0 0 0, Kristen Peterson, P, 1 0 0 0, Jordan Pilcher, CF, 2 0 1 0, Samantha Short, C, 3 0 0 0, Hannah Schroeder, 1B, 3 0 0 0, Bree Linville, DP, 3 0 0 0, Jordan Birkicht-Carr, SS, 2 0 1 0, Alexis Riley, RF, 2 0 0 0, Caiti Peterson, 2B, 0 0 0 0. Totals 22 0 3 0.

JEFFERSON (6)
Rachel Sedlacek, LF, 4 1 0 1, Hannah Towns, 2B, 4 1 3 0, Hannah Petersen, P, 4 0 1 2, Katelyn Holub, cr, 0 1 0 0, Kenna Fry, 1B, 3 0 1 2, Maddie Hanson, DP, 3 0 0 0, Maddie Koolbeck, RF, 2 1 1 0, Hannah McInerney, 3B, 2 1 1 0, Carson Burgart, SS, 3 0 2 0, Ashley Madsen, CF, 2 0 1 0, Nicole Marquart, C, 0 0 0 0. Totals 28 6 10 6.

Washington 000 000 0 -  0  3 1
Jefferson     060 000 x -  6 10 0

K. Peterson and Short. Petersen and Marquart. W – Petersen L – K. Peterson 2B – Birkicht-Carr.

GAME 2

WASHINGTON (4)
Gail Burnum, LF, 3 0 0 0, Bria Lenten, 3B, 3 0 0 0, Kristen Peterson, 2B, 3 0 0 0, Jordan Pilcher, CF, 1 1 1 0, Samantha Short, C, 2 1 0 0, Hannah Schroeder, 1B, 2 0 0 1, Bree Linville, DP, 2 0 0 1, Jordan Birkicht-Carr, SS, 3 2 1 0, Alexis Riley, RF, 2 0 0 0, Caiti Peterson, P, 0 0 0 0. Totals 21 4 2 2.

JEFFERSON (9)
Rachel Sedlacek, LF, 4 3 3 1, Kailey Drake, CF, 3 1 1 1, Hannah Petersen, RF, 2 0 1 2, Amber Grimm, RF, 2 1 1 1, Maddie Koolbeck, 1B, 2 2 1 0, Dani Stromert, 1B, 1 1 1 1, Maddie Hanson, DP, 3 0 2 0, Carson Burgart, SS, 3 0 2 2, Maddy Blietz, 3B, 3 0 1 1, Kaitlyn Davidson, 2B, 3 0 0 0, Nicole Marquart, C, 3 0 0 0, Katelyn Holub, cr, 0 1 0 0, Katie Naber, P, 0 0 0 0, Brooke Stauffer, P, 0 0 0 0, Allissa Good, P, 0 0 0 0. Totals 29 9 13 9.

Washington 000 013 0 -  4  2 1
Jefferson     013 203 x -  9 13 3

C.Peterson and Short. Naber, Stauffer (6), Good (6) and Marquart. W – Naber. L – C. Peterson. 2B – Birkicht-Carr, Burgart, Hanson, Sedlacek, Drake, Petersen. SB – Riley, Sedlacek 3.

Warriors post 1st win of the season

DUBUQUE - Washington beat Dubuque Senior, 4-3, in the nightcap of a Mississippi Valley Conference softball doubleheader for the Warriors' first win of the season.

Dubuque Senior (11-8, 7-5) won the first game, 9-1.

Washington is 1-14 overall, 1-13 in the MVC.

Wahlert drops Washington girls to 0-11

The Washington softball team’s tough start to the season continued on Monday as it dropped a doubleheader to Dubuque Wahlert, 14-2 and 4-2, at home.

The Warriors (0-11, 0-10) started out slow defensively in the first game, committing five errors in the first inning as Wahlert (6-10, 3-7) jumped out to a 4-0 lead and cruised to an easy 12-run win.

“We came out with a horrible mindset,” said Coach Fanaye Kifletsadik. “We weren’t ready, we weren’t prepared, we didn’t have that killer instinct or the attitude and energy that we wanted.”

In the nightcap, the Warriors played a much better game.

“We had a much different mindset,” Kifletsadik said. “We came out the way we knew we can play and gave ourselves a chance to compete.”

The Warriors got out quickly in the second game. Jordon Pilcher and Hannah Schroeder crossed the plate in the second inning to put the Warriors on top, 2-0.

The Golden Eagles chipped away at the lead, however, scoring in each of the last four innings to grab the 4-2 victory.

Kifletsadik felt the second game was more indicative of the way the team has been playing lately.

“We have been competing in a lot more games (this year),” she said. “In a few games this year we have even outhit people. Unfortunately, the defense hasn’t been there.

"The hitting is coming around, we just haven’t played a complete game yet. I think we are starting to turn that corner and see that we can play all facets of the game in a night.”

One of the bright spots for the Warriors was eighth grade pitcher Caiti Peterson, who went all seven innings in game two. Peterson leads the team with a 4.98 ERA.

“It seems like every game she is getting better,” Kifletsadik said. “She has that mentality out there, she doesn’t let many things shake her.

"Even if somebody gets a double she is going to keep throwing strikes and keep throwing pitches and we are going to back her up. When you have a pitcher that stays calm and collected up there it really helps that defense. I’m really excited about the rest of the season and what is to come with her.”

Game 1

DUBUQUE WAHLERT (14)

Megan Rokusek 5 2 2 2, Ana Schmitt 5 3 2 2, Maddy Nilles 5 2 2 0, Alex Bahl 5 1 2 2, Kaitlin Burds 5 0 2 2, Gabby Tath 5 2 2 3, Emily Duve 2 2 2 0, Angel Moore 3 1 1 0, Kelli Koppes 4 1 1 3, Mary McAllister 0 0 0 0. Totals 39 14 16 14.

WASHINGTON (2)

Gail Barnum 3 0 0 0, Bree Linville 3 0 0 0, Kirsten Peterson 3 0 1 0, Callie Cook 3 0 1 0, Jordon Pilcher 3 0 0 0, Sam Short 3 1 2 0, Jordan Carr 3 0 1 0, Hannah Schroeder 3 1 2 2, Alexis Riley 2 0 1 0, Caiti Peterson 0 0 0 0, Bria Lenten 0 0 0 0. Totals 26 2 8 2.

Wahlert 421 011 5 – 14 16 1
Washington 001 010 0 – 2 7 10

Koppes and Bahl. K. Peterson and Short. W – Koppes. L – K. Peterson. 2B - Nilles, Bahl, Burds, Tath, Duve, Short 2. 3B - Schmitt. HR - Schroeder.

Game 2

WAHLERT (4)

Megan Rokusek 4 0 1 0, Ana Schmitt 4 0 1 1, Maddy Nilles 4 1 1 0, Alex Bahl 4 0 1 1, Kelli Koppes 4 1 2 0, Gabby Tath 3 0 2 1, Emily Duve 4 1 1 0, Kaitlin Burds 3 1 3 1, Brittney Rogers 3 0 0 0, Mary McAllister 0 0 0 0. Totals 33 4 12 4.

WASHINGTON (2)

Gail Barnum 3 0 2 0, Bria Lenten 3 0 0 0, Kirsten Peterson 3 0 1 0, Callie Cook 3 0 0 0, Jordon Pilcher 3 1 2 0, Sam Short 3 0 0 0, Jordan Carr 3 0 0 0, Hannah Schroeder 2 1 1 1, Alexis Riley 1 0 0 0, Megan Jones 1 0 0 0, Caiti Peterson 0 0 0 0. Totals 25 2 6 1.

Wahlert 000 111 1 – 4 12 0
Washington 020 000 0 – 2 6 0

Tath and Bahl. C. Peterson and Short. W – Tath. L – C. Peterson. 2B - Bahl, Koppes, Duve, Burds.

Warriors routed by Prairie

Prairie’s Gabby Carter wasn’t known as a power hitter going into Tuesday night's doubleheader against Cedar Rapids Washington. You may want to add that to her arsenal now. Carter slugged two home runs and notched 6 RBIs in Prairie’s 26-8 rout over Washington in the second game at the Washington softball field.

“Those home runs felt really good because those are among the first I have ever had,” said Carter of her performance at the plate.

Prairie's Taylor Stecklein also had a stellar night at the plate, going 7-for-7 in the second game and collecting 10 hits for the twinbill. The Hawks had 24 hits in game two.

“Our kids just did a good job at being patient and hitting good pitches,” said Prairie Coach Kim Hynek. “Hopefully, we will continue to hit the ball like we did tonight.”

Prairie won the first game 9-4 and Carter’s pitching prowess was showcased. She came on in relief of Katelyn Kuch in the second inning and didn’t allow an earned run the rest of the game. Carter only faced 13 batters in the final four innings.

“You just have to hit your spots and do what you have to do to keep them off the bases,” said Carter.

Bria Lenten had five hits in the doubleheader for Washington.

Prairie (7-8, 3-5 MVC) travels to Iowa City West for a doubleheader Thursday and Washington (0-8, 0-8) hosts Dubuque Wahlert.

GAME 1

PRAIRIE (9)
Shelby Crist, c, 5 2 0 0, Taylor Stecklein, 2b, 5 0 3 2, Katelyn Carver, cf, 4 1 0 0, Kaitlyn Wieland, ss, 4 1 1 2, Mackenzie Blaha, lf, 4 2 0 1, Gabby Carter, 3b, 4 0 0 0, Katelyn Kuch, p, 2 0 0 1, Samantha Frederick, 1b, 4 2 1 0, Brittney Lash, rf, 4 1 1 1, Torrie Wilson, 2 0 0 0  Totals 38 9 6 7

WASHINGTON (4)
Gail Barnum, lf, 4 1 2 1, Bria Lenten, 3b, 4 0 3 0, Kirsten Peterson, p, 4 0 0 0, Callie Cook, 4 1 2 0, Jordon Pilcher, cf, 4 1 1 0, Sam Short, c, 4 0 0 1, Jordan Carr, ss, 3 1 1 1, Hannah Schroeder, 1b, 3 0 0 0, Alexis Riley, rf, 3 0 0 1, Caiti Peterson, 2b  Totals 33 4 9 4

Prairie             041 003 1 -- 9
Washington    103 000 0 -- 4

Kuch, Carter(2) and Crist. Kirsten Peterson, Caiti Peterson(3) and Short. W – Carter  L – C. Peterson
2B- Wieland, Frederick, Lenten, Cook, Pilcher. SB- Crist(3), Wieland, Kuch.

GAME 2

PRAIRIE (26)
Crist, c, 4 2 2 1, Stecklein, 2b, 7 5 7 3, Carver, cf, 7 3 3 2, Wieland, ss, 7 3 2 1, Blaha, lf, 6 4 2 0, Carter, 5 3 3 6, Kaitlyn Baetsle, p, 3 1 1 2, Frederick, 1b, 6 1 2 3, Lash, rf, 6 2 1 1, Alyson O’Brian, 3 2 0 0, Kuch, 1 0 0 0, Wilson, 3 0 1 0.  Totals  58 26 24 20

WASHINGTON (8)
Barnum, lf, 5 2 3 1, Lenten, 3b, 5 1 2 0, K. Peterson, p, 4 1 0 0, Cook, 1b, 4 2 1 1, Pilcher, cf, 4 1 1 1, Short, c, 4 1 2 0, Carr, ss, 4 0 2 2, Megan Jonas, dh, 4 0 1 0, Riley, rf, 4 0 1 0, C. Peterson, p.  Totals  38 8 13 5

Prairie    350 504 9 -- 26
Wash    003 023 0 -- 8

Baetsle, Carter (4), Kuch (7) and Crist, O’Brian (4). K. Peterson, C.Peterson (3) and Short.  W – Baetsle  L – K. Peterson.
2B- Crist, Frederick. HR- Carter 2. SB- Crist, Stecklein, Carver.