The Lakeland Hawks softball team (6-8) fell short against the Lewiston Bengals (10-6) on April 24. They lost the first game 6-3 and the second game 9-7.
Abby Helmholz pitched the first game for the Hawks, striking out eight and allowing six hits. She pitched all six innings for the Hawks.
The Bengals struck out 13 Lakeland batters.
The Hawks had seven hits but struggled to string hits together.
Mia Kesner pitched the entire second game, striking out three Bengals and allowing eleven hits.
“I walked into the game thinking the other pitcher was better than me, so that affected my performance,” Kesner said. “We learned what we need to work on. We improved since last year when we got run-ruled, and it shows we can compete against the Bengals in districts next year when we move up to 5A.”
The Hawks had eight hits off and strikeouts offensively.
Alyssa Ryckman had two at-bats, making it home both times.
“Overall, I did my job, and I did what was needed for the team as well as I could,” Ryckman said. “I think I need to keep my energy up and keep letting my pitchers know I am here for them… We walked in knowing it was going to be a tough game, but we held them as well as we could.”
