Stephanie Croston

    The Seward High softball team opened its season with a sweep of the Seward Invitational Aug. 25.
     The Jays defeated Nebraska City 5-2, Crete 9-1 and Centennial 9-1 to win the tournament.
    Seward 5, Neb. City 2
     The day got off to a shaky start for the Jays, though. After waiting about an hour for the fields at Plum Creek Park to dry, the teams took the field. Nebraska City scored two runs in the first inning, putting the Jays in an early hole.
     Coach Pat Piskorski said he knew the Pioneers would be solid, since they had defeated Waverly earlier in the week. The rain had kept the Jays off the field for practices Wednesday through Friday.
     The Jays came back, however, and scored four runs in the third, thanks in part to a bases-clearing double by Tatum Peery.
     "We were able to take a deep breath then," Piskorski said. "We were able to relax and have fun."
     Seward took advantage of Nebraska City errors during the game, moving runners into scoring position and scoring when the opportunity arose.
     The Jays finished with just three hits in the game, two from Peery-a double and a triple. Hailey Behlen notched the other.
     Brittany Telecky got the win, pitching seven innings, striking out seven and allowing two earned runs.
    Seward 9, Crete 1
     The Jays took on Crete in the second game of the tournament and won 9-1. Piskorski said Crete had some players sitting out the tournament, so they were down somewhat.
     "This won't be the same team we see later," he said. "We knew they were missing about five players, and that definitely had an impact."
     Seward hit the ball well in the game, finishing with 11 hits. Heather Post, Mallory Suhr, Jessica Telecky and Peery each had two hits for the game, and Telecky drove in four runs. Post's hits were both doubles.
     Kelsey Hoehler got the start for Seward and finished with the victory, pitching all five innings and striking out two.
    Seward 9, Centennial 1
     The Jays took advantage of Centennial's long day in the tournament's championship game, defeating the Broncos 9-1.
     Centennial had just finished an emotional eight-inning 9-8 victory over Nebraska City, and Piskorski said that gave the Jays an advantage. The team was rested and anxious to take the field by the time the game started.
     That showed at the plate, as SHS batted around and scored six runs in the first inning. Piskorski said Centennial's pitcher, Danielle Mooney, just ran out of gas.
     "The next time we see them, it won't be the same team," he said. "They will be a lot fresher."
     He said the Jays took advantage of the situation and made the most of their opportunities in the victory.
     Post and Peery led the Jays with three hits each. Two of Post's were triples, and she drove in four runs. Brittany Telecky added two hits, including a home run in the second inning, and Amber Kimsey also contributed two hits and two RBIs.
     Brittany Telecky was also the winning pitcher, striking out seven in six innings.
    Upcoming action
     The Jays will face 4-0 Fillmore Central at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 28, and then travel to David City Friday, Aug. 31, for a 6:30 p.m. varsity matchup. David City was 0-1 on the season at presstime.
     The game against Central City, originally scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 23, was postponed because of rain and had not yet been rescheduled. Piskorski said both schools play on the same days and they were trying to find an open date that worked for both.