Having raised a cloud of dust by sliding safely into second base, Eureka's Steph Vogelman takes off for third on an overthrow into center field that allowed her to strech a double into an in-the-park home run. She drove in catcher Carly Hammond as well to make the score Eureka 2 and Thompson Falls 15 in the bottom of the fourth inning in Friday's game against the Bluehawks..
Softball short handed
By Larry Cheek
Of the Tobacco Valley News
An already depleted Lion softball team had even fewer players for its games with Thompson Falls and Deer Lodge last weekend. Starters KaeDee Shay and Klairee Shay both missed the games, and the Lions ended up losing by scores of 20-2 to Thompson Falls and 19-0 to Deer Lodge.
“We had to use two newer players who had never played before,” said Coach Tom Shay. Adding to Shay’s predicament is that they had to play a Thompson Falls team that is one of the better teams in the state.
Shay said that the Lions only experienced pitcher available, Auna Lawler, pitched well for four innings against Thompson Falls, but then tired. Shay brought in Steph Vogelman, who had never pitched before. Shay said she did a good job for the first time, but the Bluehawks just had too much fire power. Vogelman also hit a double for the Lions only hit of the game. She also batted in a run.
On Saturday at Polson, Deer Lodge swung away for a 19-0 win. The Lions just didn’t have any rested pitchers to use. “I had no one to put out there,” Shay said. “It’s hard when I have players missing. It’s a pretty hard pill to swallow, but there was nothing we could do.”
Shay said that he has some good young talent on the team, but they should be playing junior varsity instead of varsity. "We’re in a tough spot,” he said, adding that the girls are still in good spirits although they are “taking their lumps.” Shay feels that the team is building for next year.
The opponents don’t get any easier for the Lions this weekend. They will host Loyola Friday and Florence on Saturday. Shay said that on the positive front, he should have a full team for the remainder of the season.
Following are the Lions box scores from their last two games.
Thompson Falls 20, Eureka 2
T. Falls 05(10) 05 - 20 10 1
Eureka 000 20 - 2 1 4
Kyla Molzhon and Katelyn Jedlicka. Auna Lawler, Steph Vogelman (3) and Hammond. W - Molzhon (3-0). L - Lawler.
Thompson Falls - Nicole Hagedorn 2-4, Katie Petteys 1-3, Molzhon 0-3, Jedlicka 1-5, Bria Howard 0-2, Kayla Stark 0-0, Jessica Pfister 3-4, Erica Wilson 2-3, Megan Fitchett 0-0, Karli Cavill 1-2, Hannah Peters 0-2, Jackie Pfister 0-0, Makayla Becker 0-0, Jamie Buchanan 0-0.
Eureka - Jenna Swain 0-2, Lawler 0-2, Carly Hammond 0-2, Vogelman 1-2, Shyann Vandehey 0-1, Courtney Morrison 0-2, Blank 01, Courtney Lindgren 0-2, Tiffany Ferguson 0-1.
2B - Vogelman. RBIs - Vogelman.
Deer Lodge 19, Eureka 0
Deer Lodge 112 0(15) - 19 9 1
Eureka 000 0x - 0 0 5
Krystal Burns and Karissa Dankers. Auna Lawler, Steph Vogelman (5) and Carly Hammond. W - Burns. L - Lawler.
Deer Lodge - Kenya Knutson 0-2, Dankers 1-4, Jennifer Kessler 0-0, Kyla Micu 1-3, Burns 2-4, Sadie Stuckey 0-0, Jheriane Phillips 0-1, Lacy Smith 0-0, Lisa Clawson 2-2, Syd McKee 1-2, Andi Lambert 0-2, Chelsea Micu 0-2, Kayla Crowe 2-3, Kelly Despain 0-0.
Eureka - Hammond 0-2, Jenna Swain 0-2, Lawler 0-2, Vogelman 0-1, Shyann Vandehey 0-1, Courtney Morrison 0-1, Hazy Blank 0-1, Courtney Lindgren 0-1, Brittney Shook 0-1.