TOPEKA — Even though Humboldt High’s offense didn’t hit for power as it has been, the Lady Cubs still were able to do enough to defeat Minneapolis 4-1 in the first round of the Class 3A State Softball Tournament Thursday.
“It was a win, I mean we didn’t play well,” coach Brad Piley said. “But those kinds of games you’ve just got to win.”
Courtney Richey earned the win, staying undefeated for the season, as she went a complete game with eight strikeouts allowing one run on six hits.
“She threw the ball well, not as good as she normally does,” Piley said. “I know she throws it a lot harder like she did at the end. I think she’s reserving it back.”
The flame-throwing sophomore did have to get out of a jam in the top of the first inning.
After a leadoff bunt single, the Minneapolis runner stole second and reached third on a wild pitch. Richey brushed that off and struck out her first batter of the game. She followed the strikeout with a walk, and that runner promptly stole second to put two runners in scoring position
Richey did what she does best, and struck out the next two batters, leaving the runners stranded.
Humboldt’s offense started to click in the bottom of the third. Kasey Beeman reached first when the short stop dropped a ball hit to shallow center. Hannah Hulett reached on a slap-bunt base hit, and Beeman flew to third realizing no one was covering the bag. Hulett quickly stole second, which forced an errant throw from the catcher. The ball sailed into the outfield and Beeman easily took home. Breanna Kline followed with a single to left. Brooke Turner hit an RBI double, keeping runners in scoring position. Mallory Roush hit into a fielder’s choice, but Kline took home on the play.
Minneapolis answered back in the fourth with just one run in the fourth inning off an RBI single.
Humboldt scored its last run in the fifth off an RBI double from Richey. Kline had a base hit up the middle, was sacrificed over by Turner, leading to Richey’s double.
“We’ve got to tighten up our defense (Friday),” Piley said. “I think we had a little jitters, we got those over with. It’s been a while since we won our first game out here, so its nice to get that win out of the way.”
Humboldt (24-0) will play Silver Lake (23-1), last year’s defending state champion at 11 a.m. Friday. If the Lady Cubs win, they will play for the state title against the winner of Lyons/Chase and Riverton matchup at 2 p.m. at Topeka’s Hummer Sports Complex. If Humboldt loses, the Lady Cubs will play the loser of that same game for third place at 1 p.m.
“When we face better pitchers we hit the ball a little better, and we see the strike zone better,” Piley said. “So, I think we’ll do better tomorrow.”
