Mustang Softball Falls to Stanberry 5-1 in Final Game Ever After 35 Years

North Nodaway tried to keep their softball season going as long as they could, but a powerful Stanberry team playing with a mission to get to state was too much for them as the Mustangs fell 5-1 Monday. The Bulldogs had been ousted early in districts by North Andrew last year and got a new coach and returned many of their players back for this year.

North Nodaway took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first, and it looked for a long time like it would stand up. Audrey Trimble walked to lead off the game; Shai Dailey struck out, Trimble stole second, but Makayla Cross struck out as well. But then Emma Hart singled to right to score Trimble and the Mustangs were on the board.

The lead stood up for a long time; Stanberry pitcher Peyton Gage was mowing down North Nodaway’s batters as well as anyone had all year, but North Nodaway’s gloves were keeping Stanberry off the board. Stanberry got one chance to score in the fourth with two outs when Lily Osborn reached when pitcher Keagan O’Riley misplayed a grounder and Elle Ellis walked. But then catcher Makayla Cross caught Kierstyn McMillen’s pop foul right up against the backstop despite getting turned around to get out of the inning.

North Nodaway had a golden opportunity to break it open in the fifth when Alonna Cross walked and Kandace Damgar’s pop fly down the left field line dropped in for a base hit to put runners at first and second with nobody out. But then Audrey Trimble, who had been handcuffed by Gage all day, suddenly caught hold of one and roped it to center field. But McMillen made a shoestring catch and doubled Cross off second; Damgar was caught stealing to end the inning.

Stanberry broke through in the bottom of the fifth when Peyton Gage’s bunt was popped in the air, but the ball squirted out of Keagan O’Riley’s glove. Ashley Peterson walked on four pitches and Sydney Mattson laid down another bunt. North Nodaway tried to go to third for the force, but Gage was safe.

It looked like North Nodaway would get a break when Lily Osborn hit a shot that looked headed into right for a base hit, but it drilled Mattson for the first out. But then Elle Ellis singled just past the outstretched Shai Dailey at second to make it 2-1 Stanberry. McMillen popped out for the second out, but Madilyn Sager’s single brought in another run to make it 3-1.

Stanberry added two insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth when Ashley Peterson doubled with two outs to the wall in center. Sydney Mattson walked and Peterson took third on a wild pitch. Lily Osborn hit a slow roller up the middle that nobody had any play on as Peterson scored. Elle Ellis singled to bring in Osborn to make it 5-1. Emma Hart made a running catch of Kierstyn McMillen’s drive in left to prevent further damage.

Kristin Herndon got hit by a 1-2 pitch after having struck out twice on the day to give North Nodaway a glimmer of hope. But then Alonna Cross’ drive, which looked headed out, was kept in by a breeze blowing in and Mattson hauled it in front of the fence as Herndon took second. Kandace Damgar popped out, but Audrey Trimble walked as Herndon made it to third on a wild pitch. But then Shai Dailey was froze by Gage for strike three to end the season.