The Milford softball team had a good-hitting week and parlayed that into a runner-up finish at the Southern Nebraska Conference tournament Sept. 28.
The week did not start well, however, as the Eagles hosted a tough Crete squad Sept. 24 and were shut out 14-0.
The score was 3-0 until the fifth inning, when Crete’s bats came to life and the Cardinals scored 11.
“The fifth inning seems to haunt us,” MHS Coach Chad Carraher said.
The Milford bats struggled to keep up with CHS pitcher Madynn Dunham, who threw the fastest they’ve seen, Carraher said. Riley Springer and Addy DeLong had the team’s only hits.
The Eagles came back Sept. 26 with an 8-5 win over Raymond Central. The team got off to another slow start and spotted RC a 5-1 lead. In the bottom of the sixth, the MHS bats finally caught fire and the Eagles scored seven to take an 8-5 lead.
Carraher was pleased to see the defense clean things up. After committing five errors against Crete, Milford had just one against Raymond Central.
Ayla Roth and Riley Springer had two hits each for Milford. Springer got the win in the circle, striking out eight in seven innings.
The SNC tournament was Sept. 28 in Fairbury, and after a bye to start the day, Milford beat Fairbury 7-2 to advance to the championship game.
Roth hit a two-run home run in the fourth for the Eagles. Springer struck out seven in five innings.
“We hit pretty good, but a lot were right to their outfielders,” Carraher said.
The team finished with seven hits from seven different hitters. MHS batters only struck out three times in the game, which meant they were putting the ball in play, the coach said.
The championship game pitted Milford against Blue River for the second time in a week. Blue River got the better of the Eagles 11-7.
The previous meeting, Carraher said, he felt like the Eagles were in control. This game was the complete opposite.
BR had nine runs on the board before Milford cracked the scoreboard. The Eagles battled back, but the hole was too deep.
“We made it interesting,” Carraher said.
Izzy Yeackley was 2-4 with a double and three RBIs. Springer was 3-4 and Roth was 2-4.
The Eagles (14-12) lost a make-up game at St. Paul 3-1 Sept. 30 and fell at Fillmore Central/Exeter-Milligan/Friend 5-3 Oct. 1. The last game of the regular season will be at home Thursday, Oct. 3, against Blue River. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.
Subdistrict play starts Monday, Oct. 7. Milford will play Logan View/Scribner Snyder at 2 p.m. at Douglas County West in the C5 subdistrict.
