East Wichita Times

Bluejays Fall To Panhandle In Home Opener

The Bluejays hosted Panhandle State University this past weekend for their home opener. This would be a 4 game series against the Aggies, starting off strong the Bluejays would win the first game of the series but would drop the next 3 of the series. This weekend would leave them with an overall record of 7-7. 

  

Saturday: Tabor 8 vs Panhandle State University 4

 

It took 2 innings for either team to get on the board. At the top of the third is when events started to happen, with 2 walks there are now runners in scoring position for the Aggies. With a triple, the Aggies would get themselves on the board. With 3 hits the Aggies scored 4 runs.

 

The Bluejays cut down Aggie's lead little by little. In the bottom of the 4th, the Bluejays would score their first run of the game. Alicia Lopez (SR/Eastvale, Calif.) reached first on an error by the defense. With another error by the defense, Jordyn Farren (SR/Galt, Calif.) reached first and got the Bluejays on the board. 

 

The 5th inning was when the Bluejays got energy and turned the game around. Vianay Ortega (JR/Jerome, Idaho) started off the inning with a walk, and with speed on the bases she stole second base. Mary Yandell (SR/Moore, Okla.) singled moving Ortega to third, now with runners on first and third, situational hitting is key. Rachael Gray (SR/Ovilla, Texas) came up and hit a double scoring Ortega easily, and also moving Yandell to third. Reese Hefley (FR/Hillsboro, Kan.) following the rally singled, scoring Yandell and advancing Gray to third. Darcy Gillen (JR/Yuba City, Calif.), Alicia Lopez, and Jordyn Farren followed the action with singles to score runs. The Bluejays were now ahead of the Aggies 6-4 in the bottom of the 5th inning. 

 

The Bluejays held the Aggies for the next 2 innings to no hits and no runs scored. However, the Bluejays extended their lead over the Aggies. The Bluejays won the first game of the series 8-4. 

 

Game 2: Tabor 4 vs Panhandle State University 12

 

Panhandle State took no time to get themselves on the board. At the end of the first inning, the Aggies had 7 runs on the Bluejays. The Bluejays would have to work hard to get those runs back. Chipping away run by run was the plan for the Bluejays. 

 

The Bluejays were held to only 4 runs during this game against the Aggies. In the 1st inning, Reese Hefley tripled, and Darcy Gillen scored her on a single. 

 

In the bottom of the 3rd inning, Vianay Ortega got hit by a pitch putting her on base for the Bluejays. Ortega would continue to steal bases on the Aggies. Rachael Gray singled to score the speedy Ortega. Darcy Gillen singled to score Gray. 

 

The Bluejays dropped the second game to the Aggies 4-12. 

  

Sunday: Tabor 3 vs Panhandle State University 6 

 

Sunday brought warm weather for a good day of softball, however, the wind did bring itself to the softball field. This was a fight between two good teams, holding each other to no more than 3 runs. Panhandle got themselves on the board first in the 2nd inning. The Bluejays would answer back in the 5th inning scoring 3 runs to take the lead. 

 

Laura Savage (SO/Marion, Kan.) started off the inning with a single, she would then steal second base to put herself into scoring position for Vianay Ortega. Savage would get out before she reaches home but this didn't bring down the Bluejays. Mary Yandell would pick Savage up and hit a double to left field to score Ortega from first base. Bunting over Yandell, now put her on 3rd base for the Bluejays. Hefley, Gillen, and Lopez would all single, each getting an RBI. The Bluejays got back on the field to stop Panhandle from scoring any more runs. 

 

However, Panhandle would score 4 more runs within 2 innings to take the lead over the Bluejays. The Bluejays lost to Panhandle 3-6 in a hard-fought battle. 

  

Game 2: Tabor 4 vs Panhandle State University 6

 

With the last game of the series about to start the Bluejays were looking to split with Panhandle. However, Panhandle got on the board in the 1st inning, scoring 4 runs on the Bluejays. 

 

In the 4th inning, the Bluejays answered back with some runs. Alicia Lopez walked, followed by Jacqueline Garcia (JR/Sparks, Nev.) walking. Jordyn Farren tripled to right center scoring both Garcia and Megan Buerger (FR/Hondo, Texas) who pinch and ran for Lopez. Jewel Norris (JR/Wichita, Kan.) also came in to pinch run for Farren. Laura Savage walked then stole second, however, Norris scored with a throw down to the second base in an attempt to get Savage out at second. 

 

In the 5th inning, the Bluejays scored another run. Reese Hefley doubled to right center to get herself into scoring position. Darcy Gillen scored Hefley on an error by Panhandle.

 

The Bluejays were not able to catch up to the Aggies but they fought until the very last out. The Bluejays were tested during this 4 game series against Panhandle. Coming out of the weekend only 1-3 against Panhandle State University. 

 

The Bluejays are still sitting in a good position at the beginning of the season. Playing good opponents each game is a learning experience for the Bluejays before conference play starts. The Bluejays have an overall record of 7-7 which is .500.

  

Up Next: The Bluejays will be heading to McPherson, Kansas for the McPherson College Invite on Friday, March 10th. The Bluejays will play 4 games in this invite. On Friday they will play Morningside University and Midland College. Saturday they will take on Mount Marty University and Mayville State University. Check out the website for any other information or updates!

Original source can be found here.