A large crowd turned out on a beautiful evening for softball at Bussel Park in Ord, where fans not only filled the stands, and the extra picnic tables which were brought in, but also supported a food fundraiser at the ballpark. Despite the lively atmosphere, and the wonderful pulled pork, mac and cheese, beans, and cookie on the plates of the cheering fans, the Chanticleers dropped their first home game of the season.
The home opener was also parent’s night honoring the team’s three seniors, Addi Blaha, Addy Stethem, and Aracely Negrete. It was an emotional time as family members read tributes to the senior girls, with all three having solid performances on the field, even though Stethem left the game with an injury on a play at first base. It was the second Ord injury on the night, in which Ellie Boettcher took a spike to the leg on a slide, that resulted in her leaving the JV game, which ended in a 9-9 tie.
In the varsity game, a five run third inning for the Chanticleers, just wasn’t enough to match Grand Island Central Catholic’s four runs in each the sixth and seventh innings, as the Chants dropped a tough one 14-8 to the very talented Class B Crusaders team, who is this season, a co-op of GICC, Doniphan Trumbull, and Wood River.
For the Chants, Allison Wheeler capitalized on every trip to the plate, finishing a perfect 4-for-4 with three RBI, two runs scored, and a triple and two doubles. Wheeler’s aggressive baserunning paid off twice for extra bases, but twice it also ended with her being thrown out at third.
Ord Sophomore Alex Jeffres went the entire way in the pitching circle and handled herself very well. Though she was hit hard at times, the Chanticleers’ pitcher showed poise and battled through the innings while keeping her composure. Jeffres has a very promising future pitching for years to come for the Chants.
The loss was the second straight for Ord, dropping the Chanticleers to 1-4 on the season. Grand Island Central Catholic, meanwhile, picked up its second win in a row to improve to 4-2. Both teams now head on the road for their next contests. Ord visits Adams Central on Thursday at 7 p.m., while Grand Island Central Catholic travels to North Platte on Tuesday for a 6 p.m. matchup.
On August 28, The Ord Chants softball team traveled to the Smith Softball Complex in Hastings, and left with a pair of losses.
Their matchup with the 4-4 host Adams Central Patriots ended after 4 ½ innings, as the game ended early with a score of 8-0, under the eight-run rule. This was Adams Central’s ninth consecutive victory against the Chanticleers. Ord was only able to manage two hits in the game, one from junior Elle Jess, and another from sophomore Alex Jeffres. Jess also pitched all four of the innings against the Patriots.
Next was a matchup with the 3-6 Fairbury Jeffs. The Chants were able to get five base hits in this one, spread between juniors Allison Wheeler, Chloe Kokes, Payton Whited, and sophomores Katelyn Ladwig, and from Jess. Jeffres went the distance pitching for Ord in this game.
Ord looks to bounce back this week as they face Gothenburg at home on Tuesday, the Pierce triangular on Thursday with Pierce and O’Neill, and the Lexington triangular with Lexington and Alliance on Saturday.