EBF snaps Highland’s streak

FORT DODGE - The No. 1 team gave a performance unworthy of its ranking, atypical of itself.

Too many errors, not enough clutch hits. In other words ...

'It just didn't fall into place for us today,” said Highland Coach Carrie Wieland.

The top-ranked Huskies coughed up five errors and failed to capitalize on some early opportunities, and fell to No. 5 Eddyville EBF, 6-2, in a Class 2A semifinal at the state softball tournament Thursday afternoon at the Rogers Sports Complex.

'We came here confident and relaxed,” Wieland said. 'It didn't happen for us totday. It was probably the most errors we've had in a game this season.”

EBF (26-5) took advantage, scoring four unearned runs and advancing to the Friday's championship game.

The Rockets will meet No. 2 Earlham (30-4) at 12:15 p.m. Earlham edged No. 3 Woodbury Central, 3-2, Thursday.

'It feels like a dream. It doesn't feel real,” said EBF pitcher Nataliah Hopkins, who improved to 25-1. 'We don't try to get the big hits. We try to put it in play and put pressure on the other team.”

Highland (32-2) saw its 25-game winning streak come to and end. The Huskies play in the third-place game against Woodbury Central (29-6) at 11:30 a.m. Friday.

The Huskies fell into a 3-0 hole, surrendering three unearned runs in the top of the second inning. They recovered to get within 3-2 on a second-inning error and a third-inning RBI groundout by Katie Chalupa.

They could have gotten more. Highland got its first two batters on base in each of the first three innings, but settled for the two runs.

'I think that affected us,” Wieland said.

Hopkins retired the final 10 batters she faced.

EBF collected 12 hits off Highland pitcher Katie Springer, and the Rockets got much of their production from the low end of their order.

Rachel Maloy and McKinley Moore, who bat seventh and ninth in the Rockets' lineup, each drove in two runs.

'I'm confident in every single batter we have,” Hopkins said.

EDDYVILLE EBF 6, HIGHLAND 2 (Class 2A State Semifinal)

Eddyville EBF 030 100 2 - 6 12 2

Highland 011 000 0 - 2 6 5

Nataliah Hopkins and Claire Jager. Katie Springer and Courtnee Hahn. W - Hopkins (25-1). L - Springer (28-2).

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