Storm Softball returns from a difficult road trip

Storm Softball just returned from an extended road trip, playing six games in three days.

The team was traveling small due to injuries and other factors that have had a numbers effect on team size.

The trip began at conference rival North Platte Community College on Saturday, April 11.

Game one had North Platte winning 13-1, and in game two, North Platte won 12-4.

With the losses, the team finished its conference schedule 0-12 and in last place going into the Region IX tournament Friday and Saturday, April 24 and 25.

The team traveled to Sterling, Colo., to play Northeastern Junior College on Sunday, April 12.

The Storm was not able to adjust to slower pitching and lost the first game 9-2.

Game two had different results.

Batters were able to make adjustments to their swings, and behind a strong pitching performance by Megan Hartman and error free defensive play in particular by Center Fielder Callie Pinkham and Second Base Alyssa Bauer, the Storm defeated Northeastern JC 12-1.

The trip moved to Scottsbluff and games against Western Nebraska Community College.

The two teams split a doubleheader in Beatrice in March, but the results of this trip were not as good.

In game one, Western Nebraska went up 4-0 in the third inning. With a pitching change, a fifth run was scored before Megan Hartman started to strike out every batter she faced. Hartman struck out 10 batters in a row, but Storm bats could not bring any runners in, and the game ended 5-0.

The Storm fell apart in game two, losing 13-0 in five innings.  Numerous errors and the defensive play of Western Nebraska sent the Storm home with a 1 win, 5 loss trip.

The Storm play again this Thursday as they host Midland University JV at Hannibal Park with a re-scheduled game from March 4. The team then travels to Marshalltown, Iowa, on Saturday for a Sunday double header.