The Fort Calhoun softball team battled on the final day of its 2021 season.
The Pioneers went 1-1 Monday during the Class C1 Subdistrict Tournament in Auburn, finishing the year 6-16. Six wins are six more than coach Mandy Taylor's school earned on the diamond last season.
“Our ladies showed up to compete today,” she said after FCHS beat Syracuse 6-4 and lost to Auburn, 11-3. “They were ready to battle and weren’t going to give in without a fight.”
Though they lost by eight runs in six innings against the top-seeded Tigers, the Pioneers forced the home team to put them away during the semifinal round. Trailing 5-0 entering the fourth frame, Sam Brewer notched a two-out RBI single, scoring Kaylee Taylor.
Auburn responded, pulling ahead 7-1 before FCHS once again applied pressure during the sixth. Senior Maddie Reed singled to start the inning before Addie Benoit followed suit. From there, Brewer and Morgan Therkildsen plated two more Pioneer runs.
Ultimately, though, it was wasn't enough. The Pioneers' 16th loss ended their season, but not before claiming a come-from-behind win from the Rockets.
Syracuse led coach Taylor's team 3-0 before a two-out, fourth-inning rally. Therkildsen reached base first before Anna Taylor and Bella Benoit loaded them. From there, seniors Malaya Alicea and Katie Barta supplied two-RBI knocks for a 4-3 advantage.
The Rockets tied it back up, but the Pioneers had the game-winning swings in them. Anna Taylor — the winning pitcher — hit a leadoff double in the sixth inning before Barta and Kaylee Taylor plated a pair of runs before the end of the frame.
“We had a lot of ups and downs with our play this year while trying to find our strengths. And every single member of the team was challenged to grow mentally and physically as players,” coach Taylor said on the final day of the season. “I’m proud of our ladies for being willing to work and bring their best, especially at the end of the season.”
Though several seniors graduate from the Fort Calhoun softball program next spring, many others will return with invaluable experience from 2021.
“The ground work has been laid in terms of work ethic and mindset,” Taylor said. “We have some leaders who we know will continue to push for greatness. We’re not satisfied, and we’re excited to take this base and continue moving forward.”
