Abby/Colby softball tastes bitter defeat
Nothing derails momentum quit as fast a mistake. The Abbotford/Colby softball co-op discovered this truth during their WIAA D-2 regional quarterfinal with the Ashland Oredockers on Wednesday.
“I felt the teams were evenly matched in terms of performance,” head coach Laura Kneifl said after the season ending loss. “The scores could have easily been reversed. Unfortunately our errors piled up, which led to a loss.”
The co-op had seen Ashland before in early May, but the co-op has come a long way since falling 18-7 a month ago.
“We were in a rut for awhile after our three game winning streak,” Kneifl said. “We also played many tough teams throughout that period, which I feel defeated some of the girls.”
The co-op’s fortunes changed after defeating Columbus Catholic 20-19 two weeks ago. A 14-4 victory over Owen-Withee followed, and Abby/Colby carried that momentum into Ashland.
Abby/Colby did well at the start. Emma Oelrich blasted a single, and soon scored to give the co-op a 1-0 lead. The Oredockers quickly retaliated, scoring three runs thanks, and after one inning, the co-o trailed 3-1.
Things did not improve in the second. Abby/Colby went three and out, and Ashland extended the lead to 5-1. The co-op was down, but not out, and Abby/ Colby doubled their efforts and intensity on defense, holding Ashland scoreless through the next three innings.
Oelrich was the catalyst for the co-op’s offense. Oelrich hit a single, stole several bases, and was brought home off an Alea Graff single to make it 5-2. Graff was in scoring position at third, but the Oredockers refused to give up more runs.
Abby/Colby continued to chip away at Ashland’s lead in the fourth. Josie Higley belted a double, and then scored the coop’s third run. Emma Peavey made her way to third, and was in plum position to score, but the Oredockers sent things to the bottom of the fourth.
Abby/Colby tried desperately to put the game back to even terms, but defense dominated, and both teams went scoreless in the fifth. There was a golden opportunity to score in the sixth after Kylie Smazal made it to third, but Ashland struck out two batters.
The co-op faltered for a brief moment, and the Oredockers capitalized, scoring once to make it 6-3. After surrendering that run, Abby/Colby forced three outs from Ashland.
The co-op had one last chance to tie, but Ashland forced three quick outs to end Abby/Colby’s 2021 campaign.
The co-op finished with five hits. Emma Oelrich went 2x4. Kyle Orth and Alea Graff singled once. Josie Higley struck one double.
Kneifl praised her seniors and thanked them for their contributions, while also casting an eye towards 20222.
“My goals for next year is to have the mindset that we CAN win games and we will. We were able to show our conference this year that Colby/Abby is a team that is becoming competitive.”
Kneifl also stressed the importance of hard work. “Our winning will only continue as girls learn and grow in the game. I am excited to have some returning players next year to keep building the program, and also with having some talent coming up within the freshman class.”
The co-op ends 2021 6-14, and 5-7 in league play to give finish in a two-way tie for fourth with Columbus.
Kneifl said her first year at the helm was a special one.
“The girls make it very enjoyable. I feel that they worked hard, we have learned a HUGE amount of information and were able to have opportunities to apply it to the game.”
