State champ too tough for Kewpies

Hickman struggled with early errors and low offensive output against defending state champion Westran on Thursday night.

The Kewpies lost 3-1 to the Hornets at Antimi Field, falling to 1-1.

The Kewpies scored their run in the bottom of the second. Lindsey Rock came in when Westran’s Lynnzie Trustee dropped the throw trying to catch Rock stealing third. Rock had singled, then advanced to second on Jennifer Bieberly’s ground out.

The Hornets scored two runs in the first, one on a Kewpies error. Westran scored again in the second on another Hickman error.

“We started out with some errors and they capitalized on those,” Kewpies pitcher Stefani Worley said.

Westran pitcher Megan Summers struck out nine batters and gave up three hits in seven innings for the win.

“We just couldn’t get our bats going,” Kewpies coach Courtney Diehl said. “We just could never string two, three, four hits together.”

Hickman starting pitcher Katie Frink allowed six hits and three walks and struck out none in four innings.

“They’ve won state four times, so it’s definitely something you think about,” Frink said. “But, it’s just another team and you have to go out and pitch, no matter what.”

Worley started the fifth in relief. She struck out three, walked two and allowed one hit.

“Both of the pitchers got hit,” Diehl said. “Frink struggled and came back. We kept our composure and we were in the game until the bottom of the seventh.”