Seward softball swept its way through a tournament in Hastings Sept. 11, beating Grand Island Central Catholic 9-7, Crete 1-0 and St. Cecilia 11-10 to win the championship.
“We played well,” Coach Shawn Carr said. “We beat three good teams.”
Senior Ellie Greisen had a good week in the circle, pitching in all three games. She threw 1 1/3 innings against GICC, helping to shut down the Crusaders. She pitched the shutout against Crete and then threw 2/3 of an inning against St. Cecilia.
Carr said it’s nice to have someone who can spell regular starter Hannah Benedict.
The SHS offense was also clicking, he said. Dalaney Anderson hit two home runs on the weekend, and Coral Collins made a splash in her return to the lineup, going 2-3 with a double and two RBIs against GICC, 1-2 against Crete and driving in a run and stealing two bases against St. Cecilia.
Carr said senior Claire Geidel is starting to swing the bat better and finished the weekend with three hits including a home run and two doubles.
The coach was pleased with the way the team competed, even when it trailed against St. Cecilia and GICC.
“It’s not over until the last out,” he said.
The Jays hosted Beatrice Sept. 9 and lost 4-1 to a top-five team. SHS had a chance to tie the game in the bottom of the sixth when Lauryn Parra hit a home run that was called a foul ball.
“The softball gods were not on our side,” Carr said.
Anderson and Parra had two hits each in the game, and Collins stole three bases.
The Bluejays (9-5) were to host Malcolm and Fairbury in a triangular Sept. 14, travel to Milford Thursday, Sept. 16, and go back to Hastings for another tournament Saturday, Sept. 18.
“Every game is a big game,” Carr said.
