WAUSA – The Wausa 14/16s softball team continued its 2024 season with a 7-6 loss to a tough Ponca 16s squad on May 22 after defeating the Emerson 14/16s 13-1 on May 20.
Ponca jumped out to a commanding lead in the first inning, scoring six runs to open the game up. After digging a 6-0 hole for itself, Wausa clawed its waybackduetocompetitiveat-batsandseveralstolen bases throughout the contest.
“This was by far the toughest team we’ve seen through three games this season,” Wausa head coach Shelbey West said. “They were disciplined at the plate and in the field, and we just came out a little flat. You can’t do that against good teams. They will bury you and make enough plays down the stretch to make coming back nearly impossible.”
Wausa scored two runs in the first frame, one in the second stanza, one in the third inning and two in the final frame, falling just short of Ponca 7-6. Wausa and Ponca each recorded just three hits on the night.
“The girls did a great job,” West said. “We faced a great pitcher. We were able to scratch runs across in every inning off of walks and stolen bases and a single hereandthere.That’sjustkindofthisgroup’sidentity.
“They have all kinds of speed up and down the lineup, so if they can just grind out at-bats and get on base, we can really cause a lot of problems,” she said. “Tonight was a good learning experience for them.”
Wausa started Tierney Alexander on the mound, whowouldlaterberelievedbyAveryStevens,throwing three-and-two-thirds innings. Stevens gave up just one run on one hit and struck out six while walking four batters.
“Things didn’t go like we wanted to with Tierney on the mound and that is OK,” Wausa assistant coach Jared Wiebelhaus said. “It’s early in the season and we are going to need her to give us good innings out there at some point.
“As a pitcher, there’s nights when you have it and nightswhenyoudon’t,”hesaid.“WestilltrustTierney and we know that she’ll bounce back for us next week, no doubt about it.”
Against Emerson, Wausa put together a strong performancebehindthearmofStevensinthe13-1win.
Wausa jumped out to an early lead in the bottom ofthefirstinning,scoring onhitsbyAinsleyDawson and Aleah James.
After another zero from Stevens in the second stanza, Wausa piled on six more runs in their half of the inning and never really looked back.
IzzySeagrenandDalee Sazama each singled in the third frame to plate three more runs for Wausa, which eventually scored13totalrunstowin in comfortable fashion. Wausa out-hit Emerson 10 to 1 on the day.
“The girls really came outandplayedacomplete gamefromstarttofinish,” West said. “It makes life for Avery, or any of our pitchers, pretty easy when we put up runs the way we did.”
Shenotedsheishappy for her players and the start to the season they havehadthroughthefirst week of games.
“We know we’re not a finished product by any means, so we’re excited about the ceiling of this group,”Westsaid.“Itwill befuntowatchtheirgrowththroughoutthesummer.”
On the mound, Stevens threw a complete game for Wausa, allowing just one hit with six strikeouts and four walks.
“Avery is one that has extremely high upside for us on the mound, but has struggled a little bit with control in the past,” Wausa assistant coach Capp Bengston said. “That was not the case today. She was strong from the get-go and really showed some of that potential we all know she has.
“Havingaleftypitcherisdefinitelyagame-changer just because it’s a different look than most hitters are used to,” he said. “She was great for us defensively a year ago, but adding in the ability to give us strong innings on the mound when we need her is really exciting for us moving forward.”
Wausa, 2-1 on the season as of May 28, was scheduled to play at Verdigre on May 28 and then is set to hostRandolphonMay29andHartingtononMay30.
