Bulldog Softball Drops Doubleheader on Saturday

Hampton-Dumont-CAL (HDCAL) softball lost both games of a doubleheader on Saturday, June 21. The games were a part of the Belmond-Klemme invite tournament. The Bulldogs dropped game one versus the North Butler Bearcats 12-3 before losing game two to the Belmond-Klemme Broncos 8-3. The Bulldogs were supposed to play in five games throughout the week, but their games on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday were all rained out. 

In the first game on Saturday, the game would end after six innings due to the mercy rule. The Bearcats jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead, before the Bulldogs scored three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to cut the lead to 5-3. However the Bearcats offense would add on seven more runs. Freshman Megan Severs had a productive day at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a single, a double, a run scored and two RBIs. Eighth grader Kendall Eilderts was the starting pitcher for the Bulldogs and she pitched five innings, allowing six runs on seven hits and four walks while striking out five Bearcats’ batters. 

In the second game of the doubleheader, the Bulldogs took on Belmond-Klemme in the losers bracket of the tournament. Just like the first game, the Bulldogs would fall behind 5-0, before scoring three runs in the fourth inning to cut the lead to 5-3. The Broncos would add three more runs throughout the game to secure their victory. Freshman Keely Moorehead had two RBIs and sophomore Maren Subbert drove in the other Bulldog run. Eilderts also started game two for the Bulldogs and she tossed six innings and gave up eight runs on 13 hits and two walks while striking out two Broncos’ batters. 

Head coach of the Bulldogs, Kelsey Enslin, spoke on what she has liked about her team this year and how they can finish the season strong. 

“I have loved our energy and team chemistry through the season,” said Enslin. “We were hitting the ball well and being more offensive up until our break from the rain. As we look forward we need to clean up our defense and look to grow in every game we play, especially with a young team.”

The two losses drops the Bulldogs record to 4-8 on the season and 2-4 in conference. The Bulldogs will play in five games this week, having played at St. Edmond on Monday, June 23 and hosted West Fork on Tuesday, May 24.