HILLSBORO: Lady Trojans struggle in first two games
The Lady Trojans got their softball season off to an auspicious start, dropping two games to visiting Marion 3-0, 4-1 on the first day of the season April 3. They were scheduled to play Lyons at home on Tuesday, but the games were called off due to chilly temperatures.
In the first game of the doubleheader, Hillsboro managed just three hits and no runs as Marion pitcher Megan Moore struck out 15 batters.
In the top of the first, things didn't start well for Trojan pitcher Marissa Diener, who surrendered a single to Heidi Zogelman. Zogelman advanced when the next batter, Moore, was tagged out at first.
Emmy Bowers then hit a double to drive in Zogelman for Marion's first run. Finally, Diener struck out Amy Richmond to end the inning.
In the bottom of the first, Hillsboro's Danielle Goossen was able to reach first on an error after the previous two batters struck out, but a fly-out to center field by Emily Ratzlaff ended the inning.
The second inning saw Marion's Krista Zogelman reached first on an error. Nikki Moody drove her in for a run before the inning ended.
The bottom of the second and third innings weren't too successful for Hillsboro, but the team managed to snag its first hits in the fifth when Laci Frantz and Laura Lindsay managed to make it on base. But they were left stranded at third and second when three straight strikeouts ended the inning.
Marion scored its final run in the top of the sixth, when Caitlin O'Dell was sent in by a fielder's choice.
Game two featured more Trojan hits, but the outcome was the same with the team losing 4-1.
Both teams were scoreless until the top of the fifth, when a solo home run by Leann Thomas put Marion up 1-0. An error and single got two more runners on base, and Moore's home run sent them both in for three runs in one shot.
In game two, Lindsay racked up two hits while Laci Frantz had two and Goossen had one.
Coach Carolyn Long was pleased with her team's performance against a Marion team returning 13 letter-winners.
Her team played well offensively and defensively, but they weren't as aggressive as they should have been at the plate, Long said.
Then again, they faced a standout pitcher with an ERA of 0.29 — one of the toughest in the area. But toward the end of the doubleheader things began to look up for the Trojan hitters.
"We started to get our bat on the ball," Long said.
The Lyons game has been rescheduled for Saturday, May 10, at noon.
The Lady Trojans were scheduled to host Canton-Galva this Friday, but since seven of the team's 13 players are ineligible, they forfeited the game, Long said. Hillsboro will play at Haven on Tuesday.s
