Just days after breaking a near two-year long losing streak, the Fort Calhoun softball team kept the good times rolling Thursday at home.
The Pioneers (2-3 overall) scored 15 runs in just six innings, blasting 0-3 Syracuse 15-7. The game ended by run rule when freshman Anna Taylor plated classmate Addie Benoit during their team's three-run final frame.
“All we needed was a good base hit to get someone in,” FCHS senior Bella Benoit said. “We were trying to get Anna to relax there and do her thing, and she did.”
Taylor also earned the pitching win, striking out four Rockets.
“The energy of our team tonight was just really great,” she said.
The Pioneers actually fell behind 2-0 through one inning, but scored less than three runs a frame just once over the next five. Taylor and her sister, Kaylee Taylor, each notched two RBIs, while Addie Benoit, Bella Benoit, Morgan Therkildsen, Malaya Alicea, Sam Brewer and Katie Barta notched one apiece.
“Our bats were just on fire today because everyone was supporting each other,” Anna Taylor said.
Barta, a senior, lead off the decisive sixth frame with a triple. Brewer knocked her in before Addie Benoit plated the shortstop on a single that found its way past Syracuse's centerfielder.
A Maddie Reed bunt later, Anna Taylor stepped into the box and ended the Nebraska Capitol Conference game an inning early.
Bella Benoit believes batting practice the day before games has helped Fort Calhoun to its productive start this season.
“It's really making an improvement in our games,” she said.
The Pioneers celebrated Thursday's eight-run victory under the lights, snapping a cellphone photo together.
