YATES CENTER — Yates Center High’s Wildcats broke a 5-5 tie with two runs in the sixth on their way to a 7-5 win over visiting Neodesha High’s Blue-streaks Monday.
The Wildcats dropped an 11-8 decision to the Blue-streaks in the second game of the Tri-Valley League doubleheader. Yates Center moved to 3-1 in league play and 4-2 overall.
“We had a very emotional night. Our team experienced a tragedy that affected the girls. We were missing three of the varsity starters but some younger players stepped up to cover the field,” said Kathe Hamman, YCHS softball coach.
Krista Grogg, mother of Yates Center High player Skyler Claibourn, was killed in a single-car accident in rural Woodson County Monday. Hamman said Grogg was aunt to three players, Drew Spen-cer, Allie Bruner and Maggie German.
“Maggie and Kassy Reynolds, both seniors, showed great leadership Monday night on and off the field for our team. We are all here in support of these young ladies and their families,” Hamman said.
In the opener, the teams mirrored each other scoring a single run in the first, two each in the fourth and fifth innings. Yates Center produced two runs in the sixth and retired Neodesha in the seventh for the win.
Reynolds had a two-run home run and a single for the Wildcats. Daryean Estes hit a double and a single. Jessica Hartwig and Autumn Doug-las each had two singles. Sierra Leonard and German each had a single.
Up 6-4, the Wildcats allowed Neodesha to score five runs in the third and never could catch up. Reynolds, who was 6-for-7 in the two games, had a triple, a double and two singles in the second game. Estes, who pitched both games, hit a home run, a double and a single and German had two singles.
Hitting a single each for Yates Center were Hartwig, Douglas, Shannon Staats and Addie Hughes.
“The top part of our lineup is doing its job. We have to get more production out of the bottom of the order,” said Hamman. “Daryean and Kassy were again solid on the mound and behind the plate.”
Estes had 10 strikeouts for the night and only issued three walks. German provided two double plays defensively and Hartwig made four catches in center field.
Yates Center plays Marmaton Valley at Moran in non-league games Friday.
The Yates Center High boys lost 18-3 and 12-1 to Neodesha Monday. There was no report on the baseball games. Yates Center is 1-3 in TVL play and 2-4 overall and the boys also play at Marmaton Valley Friday.
Yates Center girls go 1-1
