Kewpies winners in season opener

The Hickman softball team was pleasantly surprised.

The Kewpies won their first game of the season 2-1 Monday night against Warrensburg at Cosmopolitan Park.

“That was a big win for us,” Hickman coach Courtney Diehl said. “We’ve been practicing for two weeks, and I don’t think they knew what to expect.”

The Kewpies scored the winning runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Freshman outfielder Shana White tripled to center field, driving in third baseman Jessica Perry, who singled, and second baseman Katie Johanning, who walked.

The Warrensburg outfielders struggled to get White’s hit back to the infield.

“It’s tough,” Tigers shortstop Jennifer Woods said. “You work hard all game. It’s what wins or loses ballgames either way, the little things.”

The Kewpies fell behind in the top of the fourth inning after Woods scored for Warrensburg on a double to left field. She reached third on a bunt by first baseman Melissa Schuitema and was ruled safe at home after second baseman Anna White hit a ground ball towards center field. Katie Johanning faultered fielding the ball, as Woods scored.

“Last year, we played them first, and they beat us 1-0,” Woods said. “I thought whoever scored one run would probably win, so I was excited to get that.

“It’s good to get the first one on the board.”

Sophomore pitcher Stefani Worley got the win for the Kewpies, striking out seven.

“I don’t know what I’d do without my defense,” Worley said. “Everybody was making incredible plays. They were backing me up the whole game.”