Lauren Schmeits // KHS Softball, Dave Brandt
*Story provided by Dave Brandt
Lincoln, Nebraska – The Kearney Bearcats took two games from Lincoln Southeast on Thursday, September 28, in Lincoln.
In game 1, Kearney scored first on the way to a 9-6 win. Lauren Schmeits spread 9 hits over 7 innings, allowing 6 runs, for the win. The Bearcats had hot bats on the night. Game 1 saw 14 hits for the Bearcats. Schmeits and Kami Kaskie each had three hits. Mackinzey Brennan had a home run scoring 3.
In game 2, Avery Longshore started and earned the win in 3 2⁄3 innings. Ava Magnani came in in relief for the last 3 1⁄3. They combined to allow 6 runs for the 15-6 win. Kennedy Lee and Schmeits led the Bearcats with 4 hits each. Schmeits drove in 4. Kaskie hit a home run.
Kearney improved to 11-17 on the season. They turn their attention next to the Heartland Athletic Conference tournament at Doris Bair Softball Complex in Lincoln, on Saturday, September 30. Game 1 is a rematch with Grand Island at 10 AM. They await their district tournament seeding and location which will take place next Wednesday and Thursday.
The Knights ended their regular season at 6-20 and will compete in the HAC tournament Saturday as well.
JV
Lincoln, Nebraska – The Lincoln Southeast Knights JV swept the Kearney JV by scores of 6-5 and 6-2 on Thursday, September 28, at Doris Bair Softball Complex in Lincoln.
The Bearcats gave up all 6 runs in the bottom of the first and battled back during the game 1 only to come up one run short against the Knights. Carleigh Birdwell, Siena Bonk, Kinleigh Coffman, Joselyn Strickland, Paige Trew and Allie Alexander each had a hit. Birdwell led the team with 2 RBI.
In game 2, another quick start by Southeast put Kearney in a hole too big to dig back out of. Alexander led the team with 2 hits. Birdwell, Trew and Coffman each added one.
Kearney JV finished their season, under first year JV softball coach Jake Redman, at 13 wins and 16 losses.
