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MESICK — Strong hitting in the opener wasn’t enough for the Mason County Eastern Cardinals, who dropped a doubleheader to Mesick, 4-1 and 16-5, in conference softball action Monday.
In Game 1, Mason County Eastern (MCE) out-hit Mesick 7-3 but couldn’t convert enough scoring chances in a 4-1 loss.
Bridget Whitaker, Remington Smith, Bryanna Hasenbank, Emma Whitaker, Anna Story, Raegan Brynelsen and Alice Shoup each tallied one hit for the Cardinals. Brynelsen recorded her first varsity triple.
MCE broke through in the third inning when Whitaker singled to drive in the team’s lone run.
Mesick took control in the fifth inning, using a sacrifice fly by Linna to grab the lead and then holding off the Cardinals the rest of the way.
Miley Kessel started in the circle for Mason County Eastern, allowing three hits and four runs (three earned) over five innings while striking out eight and walking four. Mesick’s McNalley earned the win, giving up one run on seven hits over six innings with six strikeouts.
Bridget Whitaker led MCE at the plate, going 1-for-3 with an RBI.
In the nightcap, the Cardinals struggled to keep pace in a 16-5 loss.
Mesick broke the game open with a five-run sixth inning.
Shoup started for MCE, surrendering 14 runs (six earned) on six hits over five innings while striking out seven and walking seven. McNalley again led Mesick in the circle, allowing five runs (three earned) on four hits over six innings with eight strikeouts.
Bridget Whitaker, Kessel, Emma Whitaker and Story each had a hit for the Cardinals. Emma Whitaker, Kessel and Bridget Whitaker each drove in a run.
MCE coach Jenn Whitaker pointed to key moments as the difference.
“We just had too many walks and too many errors happen at crucial times,” she said. “Errors happen, but the timing is what makes all the difference. Mesick hit the ball well and we had some great stops and some good plays holding them on base, but then had a few throwing errors and couldn’t finish the outs. Mesick put the pressure on when they got on base and we rushed through letting them advance.”
The losses drop the Cardinals in conference play against what Whitaker described as a strong Mesick squad.
“It’s a tough conference loss,” she said. “They are a good team and we fell short.”
Mason County Eastern returns to action Thursday with a home conference game against Bear Lake.
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