Makayla Cross’ Catch Preserves Mustang Victory

Makayla Cross’ two out catch of Haley Hunt’s screamer preserved an extra inning victory for North Nodaway as David Carroll’s squad avenged their North Harrison Tournament loss to Worth County and won 4-2 in nine innings. Sidney Troutwine had reached on a bad hop single; Payton Adwell had grounded out and Anna Gladstone had popped out. But Haley Hunt was up next and she had already victimized Keagan O’Riley with a three-run home run in the tournament. Sure enough, Hunt gave it a long ride to deep right field. It looked like extra bases or even a game-tying home run, but Cross made a running over the shoulder catch to preserve the victory and get the final out.

North Nodaway had manufactured two runs in the top of the inning. Bethany Herndon had reached on an error that rolled through second baseman Kristin New’s legs and Rachael Gardner’s frantic throw from right field was not in time. Audrey Trimble and Kristin Herndon both beat out bunt hits to load the bases and Chole Schimming, who had broken Worth County’s hearts last year with a two run home run, did so again this year with a shot up the middle that scored two runs. Schimming and Herndon took second and third on Anna Gladstone’s futile throw home, but they were stranded when Alisha Davison flied out to Rachael Gardner, Keagan O’Riley’s smash that would have gone for extra bases was snared by first baseman Kaylee McElvain, and Madison Thompson grounded out.

David Carroll’s squad seemingly had it won in the eighth when Alisha Davison led off with a perfect bunt single in front of the plate, took second on a wild pitch, and Keagan O’Riley smashed a single to left. But Dominique Findley’s throw from left was a strike and Payton Adwell blocked the plate and tagged Davison for the first out. But Madison Thompson’s grounder, which would have been the second out, turned into trouble when Sidney Troutwine’s throw pulled Kaylee McElvain off the bag. Kelsi Oberhauser’s groundout to Troutwine scored O’Riley as she didn’t have a play. But Worth County tied it back at 2-2 when Rachael Gardner ripped a single between third and short and Kaylee McElvain laid down a perfect bunt down the third base line. Third baseman Kristin Herndon’s throw was in time and McElvain was out, but Gardner took off for third and the throw was airmailed, allowing her to score and tie it up.

Worth County had a chance to win it in regulation, but Haley Hunt’s smash with two outs was snagged by third baseman Kristin Herndon to preserve the 1-1 tie.

North Nodaway scored the first run of the game in the top of the first when Worth County pitcher Haley Hunt airmained Kelsi Oberhauser’s grounder, allowing Madison Thompson to score. North Nodaway looked to add to that lead in the second as Chole Schimming singled up the middle to center and Alisha Davison beat out a slow roller up the first base line. But Keagan O’Riley forced Schimming at third. Madison Thompson hit a screamer in the right center field gap, but Anna Gladstone was there for the running catch and doubled off Davison off second to end the inning. It was her second such double play of the year.

Worth County tied it in the fourth when Dominique Findley reached on Alisha Davison’s bobble and Haley Hunt scored. Later, Rachael Gardner tried to score on a double steal attempt when Bethany Herndon fumbled a throw at second and let it roll a few feet away. But she recovered in time to throw out Gardner at the plate to keep it tied at 1-1.