RED OAK – Runners left on base and untimely defensive miscues caused the demise of Creston softball against Red Oak, 15-9, Monday on the road.
The Panthers had their fair share of chances, leaving the bases loaded on several different occasions and stranding runners in scoring position with one out.
“We helped them out in that fashion. ... Just not able to get that timely, two out hit that would have really helped us out,” said Creston head coach Mike McCabe.
In the circle, pitchers falling behind in counts led to the Tigers getting advantageous looks at pitches down the middle in order to get back into counts.
Creston outhit Red Oak 14-10 over the course of the game, but the Panthers gave up 10 walks, including hit by pitches and the Tigers took advantage of the free baserunners.
“Too many free bases and extra bases,” said McCabe. “We did a nice job of battling back, ... but leaving people on and too many free bases for us.”
The Panthers battled with the Tigers throughout the contest, answering back from Red Oak’s first inning run with four runs of their own.
In the seventh inning they did the same as Creston pushed across two runs in response to Red Oak’s two the half inning prior, but it wasn’t enough to trip the gap.
Macy Adamson threw 4 1/3 innings for the Panthers in the circle before being replaced by Haylee Gillam. The duo combined for two strikeouts and allowed 10 hits.
At the plate Gracie Hagle went 3-for-4 with an RBI and Saige Rice lifted a two-run bomb in the second inning to temporarily move Creston in front. Rice made it on base in all five of her plate appearances.
Neveah Randall also drove in a run in the first inning while Peyton Rice was also an RBI contributor.
In the end, Creston left 15 runners on base, which served as the difference in the high scoring final outcome.
UP NEXT – Creston (7-7, 2-4) heads to Glenwood today (Tuesday) for its first matchup of the season with the Rams.
