PELLA — The Perry softball team found themselves on the short end of final scores of 12-4 and of 5-4, losing the first score to Grinnell and by the latter to host Pella Christian in tourney play Saturday.[wpedon id=”82220″ align=”center”]
Grinnell countered a Perry run in the top of the first inning with five runs in the bottom of the frame. Three Jayette runs in the second cut their deficit to 5-4, but the Tigers (8-13) scored once in the second, twice in the fourth and then four times in the sixth to pull away for the victory.
Alyssa Kruger suffered the loss in the circle after allowing 12 runs (only four of which were earned) on 13 hits and two walks in six innings. She finished with two strikeouts.
Jo Diw blasted a three-run home run in the second for Perry (9-17), and also hit a double and a single while stealing one base. Jayna Kenney had two base hits and Adriana Eastman a RBI-single, with Sid Vancil, Cassidy Heck, and Kruger each had singles.
Perry was also the visitor against host Pella Christian and grabbed a 2-0 lead after single tallies in the first and third frames. Two Jayette runs in the fifth pushed the lead to 4-0, but the Eagles (5-16) plated two runs in their half of the inning and three more in the sixth for a 5-4 advantage, securing the win when Perry could not score in the top of the seventh.
Kruger started and pitched three innings, allowing four hits. She was relieved by Kenney, who surrendered five runs (only one of which was earned) on four hits and two walks in three frames on the rubber.
Gabby West led Perry at the plate with two hits and three RBIs, with Eastman adding two hits and a RBI. Kruger hit a double and stole two bases, with Vancil adding a hit and a theft. Kenney and Bella Nath also had singles, with Heck stealing a base as a courtesy runner.
Perry hosts Carlisle Monday and Des Moines North Tuesday. A varsity doubleheader at Bondurant-Farrar is scheduled for Wednesday, with Perry to host Ballard Thursday.
