Bison open season with big win

Friday, August 26, 2005
Courtesy photo

HASTINGS -- The McCook Bison picked up two big wins in their season openers at the Smith Complex in Hastings.

McCook beat Omaha Gross 4-3, but not until after Gross jumped off to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning.

Kristen Benes led off the inning with a double and Kirstein Dargy singled to score the first run and after two strike outs by McCook‚s pitcher Stephanie Douglas, Gross scored their second run with back to back singles. A ground ball out to Kayla Wilson at third ended the 1st inning.

McCook came back in the third inning and scored 3 of their 4 runs. Andrea Soden lead off the inning with a single and was then forced out at second on a fielders choice by Austin Wilson, who was safe at first base then Kirstie Hiatt struck out to give the Lady Bison 2 outs in the inning.

Austin stole second and then scored on a single by Jillian Bryant who also stole second. Jillian then scored on a single by Michelle McKenna, who advanced to second on the throw to the plate. Sara Craw ran for Michelle, and scored on a single by Kayla Wilson. Marissa Wallace drew a base on balls and Jessica Einsphar grounded out to the short stop to end the inning. "It was great to see us come back after being down in the first inning against a quality opponent," added Coach Dale Lortz.

Gross scored the tying run in the bottom of the fifth inning on two walks and a single up the middle with a throw home by Austin Wilson being late to the plate.

McCook came back and scored in the top of the sixth after two outs were out once again. Cody Korus lead off the inning with a walk and stole second base. The next two batters struck out and flew out to the second basemen. Austin Wilson then singled to left and Cody scored as Austin move to second on the throw to the plate. That ended the scoring for both sides and the game was ended because of the time limit.

Kirstie Hiatt came in to pitch with one out in the 4th inning and Marissa Wallace relieved her in the 6th inning. Kirstie received the win as Marissa recorded the save for the first game of the season. Stephanie Douglas pitched 3 1/3 innings giving up 2 runs on 4 hits while striking out 3. Kirstie Hiatt pitched 1 2/3 inning allowing 1 run on 1 hit and striking out 1. Marissa Wallace completed the pitching, going 1 inning allowing 0 runs while giving up 1 hit.

"We were all a little nervous at the beginning of the game but we settled down and did a nice job of keeping ourselves in position to get the win. The pitching did a nice job of controlling their nerves to help us secure the win," Lortz said.

In the night cap, the Lady Bison had a some what easier time of it, beating Omaha Skutt by the score of 8 to 1. Taryn Placzek pitched the complete game and gave up 3 hits. She gave up just 1 run in the top of the 7th inning.

McCook scored once again with 2 outs in the bottom of the 1st inning. Austin Wilson lead off the inning with a double to left field. After two outs and moving to 3rd on a pass ball she scored on a throwing error on a ground ball by Kayla Wilson.

The Lady Bison picked up 4 more runs in the 2nd on a single by Jessica Einsphar, a double by both Cody Korus and Andrea Soden, and a single by Jillian Bryant. In the 3rd McCook added one more run when Cody Korus singled and a stole 2nd base, then scored on Andrea Soden's second double of the game. In the fourth, Jillian Bryant walked and advanced to third on a throwing error as she stole second base. Kayla Wilson drove her home with a single to left field. The final run came in the 5th inning when Hailee Koetter drove in Jessica Einsphar who had walked and stole second base.

"We probably caught Omaha Skutt, who was rated 6th in the State preseason poll, a little bit down after losing to North Platte in their opener," Lortz admitted. "We came right out in the second game and hit the ball very well. I was glad that we were able to get all 16 players that we took with us into the game."

"As coaches, we did a much better job this year of getting ourselves ready for this type of opener."

McCook plays Adams Central at 9:45 a.m. at the Holdrege Invitational on Saturday, and then either Minden or Lexington at 11:30 a.m. or 1:15 p.m.

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