HUMBOLDT — Amid cold, windy and rainy conditions that washed away several athletic events Tuesday, the new USD 258 sports complex got its first meteorological test of the season.
The facilities passed with flying colors, with the artificial turf infields and state-of-the-art drainage systems keeping the playing surface in tip-top shape.
Humboldt High’s baseball and softball teams, meanwhile, did their best to send the crowds home early.
The baseball team rolled to wins of 10-2 and 11-1 over visiting Cherryvale High, the second game ending after five innings because of the 10-run mercy rule.
Meanwhile, the Lady Cubs took even less time, rolling past the Chargers, 15-0 and 16-1. Both games were halted in the third inning via the run rule.
“Thanks to our new fields, we were able to play,” Humboldt softball coach Brad Piley said.
The Lady Cubs were more than content to keep their bats on their shoulders, working the Cherryvale pitchers for several walks in both games.
Humboldt opened the first game with a nine-run rally to take control. They tacked on another in the second and five in the third, at which time the game was called.
Morgan Morris blasted a triple with two RBIs. Breanna Kline had a single, three stolen bases and an RBI, while Delaney Umholtz stole two bases. Courtney Richey had a single, two stolen bases and an RBI. Kayle Riebel had a single.
Meanwhile, Richey was her usual dominant self on the piching rubber, striking out seven in three near-perfect innings. She allowed neither a hit nor walk. Cherryvale’s only base runner came on a first-inning error.
Jaci Ross picked up the baton in game 2. She allowed just two hits and three walks. She struck out two.
Kline had two doubles, four RBIs and a stolen base, while Richey had two doubles, three RBIs and two stolen bases. Makaylah McCall had a single and RBI. Riebel chipped in with a a single. Umholtz and Mallory Roush both stole bases.
“Both Courtney and Jaci had good games pitching,” Piley said.
Meanwhile, freshman Tilar Wells turned in the defensive play of the night at second base.
She dove to her right to snag a hard-hit ground ball. She snared the ball, popped to her knees and threw the runner out at first.
HUMBOLDT’S boys also worked quickly to erase any drama on the baseball diamond.
Grayson Pearish laced a two-run double in the first inning of the opener, and the Cubs never looked back. Hunter Murrow’s single and a passed ball tacked on two more runs in the second for a 4-0 lead.
The Chargers closed the gap to 4-2 in the top of the third before Humboldt rallied for four in the bottom of the inning. Murrow’s two-run double was the big blow.
Caleb D’Armond and Zach Vanatta singled and scored on a Jake Haviland double in the fourth.
Alex Murrow picked up the win, with Grayson Pearish and Hunter Murrow adding relief stints.
Austin Beeman got the start in game 2, and effectively kept Cherryvale’s hitters at bay.
The Cubs scored three in the first and eight in the second to take control.
Haviland pitched the final two innings.
Statistics from the baseball games were unavailable at press time.
