COLONY — Defensive shortcomings for a short-handed Crest High softball squad led to big troubles Thursday, who dropped 21-3 and 21-0 decisions to visiting Jayhawk-Linn to wrap up the regular season.
The Lady Lancers, playing without a couple of key players who were out of town for a track meet, saw starting third baseman Andie Burnett hobbled with a knee injury midway through the opener.
Burnett stayed in the game, but was moved to right field.
“She’s fantastic at third base, so that was a loss for us,” Crest head coach Casey Cook said.
That allowed Jayhawk-Linn to break open a tight game midway through the opener.
Anna Hermreck had a pair of singles, Kaylee Allen doubled, and Kayla Hermreck, McKenna Hammond and Brooklyn Jones each had one single in the opener.
Jones and Lily Blaufuss handled the pitching duties, with Kayla Hermreck suiting up as catcher.
“My sophomore combination of pitcher-catcher was exceptional,” Cook said, “but the defense just didn’t back them up tonight. And we couldn’t do very much on offense.”
The Jayhawks erupted for 17 runs in the first inning of the nightcap to dispense with any drama.
Crest’s Anna Hermreck’s third-inning single was the only hit for the Lady Lancers.
Crest (5-15) heads to Lebo on Monday to take on Central Heights to open the Class 2-1A Regional Tournament.
