SOLON — The Lady Spartans struggled to finish in their midweek doubleheader. They set themselves up to score at multiple points in both games but were rarely able to capitalize. It caused them to drop both games against Grinnell and grew their losing streak to five.
The Spartans lost 0-3 in game one and 3-6 in game two.
Coach Brad Holub said, “We’re going through a little adversity, and we are in our own heads. Just thinking too much and not just going out and playing.”
Solon’s bats were stifled in game one. While only achieving one hit, they stayed within distance of Grinnell the entire game. Due in part to pitcher Kendall Jensen.
Jensen pitched a complete game and kept her defense busy, leaning on them to get 19 of the 21 outs. While only allowing three runs she put nine baserunners on through a walk and eight hits. Jensen pitched her best when facing adversity on the basepaths, able to escape multiple innings with runners in scoring position.
Jensen also provided the only hit in game one for the Spartans, smoking a double off the left field wall. Then in the bottom of the sixth, down 2-0 with a runner on, sent a pitch into deep left field, but coming up only a couple feet short of a game tying home run.
The Spartans were able to get five walks and four stolen bases, two stolen bases each to Olivia Trachta and Kayla Meseck. Both players got to third base using the steals but couldn’t advance the final 60 feet to home.
The offense struggled to string together hits against Grinnell’s pitcher Rylie Imhoff. The Spartans drew four walks but could not manage to get those baserunners around to score. “We’re nervous, we’re afraid to make errors in a game that is impossible to be perfect in and until we get out of our own head we are going to struggle,” said Coach Holub.
In game two, Solon figured out their offensive woes in the first inning. They jumped on the Tiger’s Rhiannon Rees (starting pitcher) to start the game.
Izzy Frees and Layla Knazze got on to lead off the bottom of the first through a dropped third strike and a walk. Addie Miller and Jensen then preceded to deliver sacrifice hits to bring home both runners and give Solon their first lead of the doubleheader.
Grinnell responded with a quick two runs for the lead in the third inning. From there Solon could not overcome the Tiger offense that was firing on all cylinders. Although the Lady Spartans continued to get runners on base, they kept falling short of bringing the runners around. Coach Holub said, “We got to go out and compete and win one. Winning cures a lot.”
While down 6-2, Solon kept battling the rest of the game. They brought runners within 60 feet of scoring three times down the final stretch of the game and brought high energy throughout both games that never wavered until the final out of game two. Coach Holub said, “We have phenomenal teammates. We got a great team as far as supporting one another. The problem is individually we are our own worst enemy right now.”
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