Winterset is the defending Class 4A state champion and needs precious little help to win softball games. Giving the Huskies seven errors makes the odds of an upset astronomical, as Perry discovered to their sorrow Tuesday.[wpedon id=”85410″ align=”left”]
The Huskies (25-12, 10-4) spoiled Senior Night for the Jayettes (10-21, 1-13) with two runs in the first inning and five more in the second to open a 7-1 lead after the hosts managed to plate a run in their first at-bat. Three Winterset runs in the fifth set up the 10-1 final.
Perry had three outfield errors that turned Winterset singles into extra bases, and made three errors at first base, where normal starter Adriana Eastman is missing, as she is on an musical education trip to Europe. An additional infield error hurt as well, with only five of the Husky runs counted as earned.
Alyssa Kruger allowed 11 hits and three walks while hitting one batter in taking the loss on the rubber. She finished with two strikeouts.
Sophie Stover allowed a run on five hits and three walks while striking out 12 in earning the win.
Danny Barker had two singles, a double, two RBIs and two runs for Winterset, with Corry Pickering adding a base hit and scoring three times.[wpedon id=”85410″ align=”left”]
Perry’s lone run came when Jo Diw singled, stoke second and was driven in by a Gabby West base hit.
Diw and West had two hits apiece, with Sid Vancil adding a single and a steal.
The game was the last home appearance for Diw, Kruger, Vancil, T.J. Sheehy and Grace Stewart.
Perry opens postseason play with a visit to Carroll Thursday. The winner advances to face host and fifth-rated ADM Saturday. Both games will start at 7 p.m.
