HUMBOLDT — it was a quick turnaround for Humboldt High’s softball team Thursday, still stinging from a pair of heartbreaking losses two nights earlier to open the 2021 season.
It didn’t take long for the Lady Cubs to take out some of their frustration on visiting Erie.
Humboldt steamrolled its way to wins of 13-2 in five innings and 16-1 in four innings.
“The first night was kind of disappointing,” Lady Cub head coach Brad Piley said, noting Humboldt dropped its season opener after giving up a 9-3 lead in the final inning. “I don’t know if we were quite ready, but we had a lot of throwing errors, errors we shouldn’t have made. I think it was nerves.”
On Thursday, the fielding improved, while the bats stayed hot.
Kirstyn Murrow and Karley Wools were the hitting stars in the opener. Murrow had two singles, a double and a triple, with two stolen bases and two RBIs. Wools hit a single, double and inside-the-park home run with a stolen base and four RBIs.
Isabelle Murrow followed with a pair of singles and a stolen base, Emily Ross pounded out a double and triple with two RBIs, Kady Hart had a double and RBI and Emma Carson singled with an RBI.
That was in support of starting pitcher Brooklyn Ellis, who went the distance, giving up seven hits with eight strikeouts. She also supported her cause at the plate with a single and RBI.
THE LADY Cubs continued their solid play in game two, behind the pitching of Karle Wools, gave up two hits with two strikeouts in her four-inning complete game.
Piley noted neither pitcher surrendered a walk, another key to victory.
Isabelle Murrow drove in four runs with a single, double and home run that Piley compared to a moon shot.
“I haven’t seen one hit like that,” he said.
Carsyn Haviland singled twice with a stolen base. Kirstyn Murrow stole a base, while Wools had a stolen base and RBI. Emily Ross had a single and RBI, Ellis had an RBI double, Kady Hart had a single and stolen base, Madison Riebel added a single and RBI and Morgan Hunter stole a base.
“We got back on track,” Piley said. “I’m glad we had that quick turnaround.”
Humboldt hosts Leon-Bluestem Monday.
