Behind record-setting hit barrage in Game 1, Lisbon sweeps Alburnett

ALBURNETT — A day after Lisbon — in the words of Coach Bob Bunting — “did nothing” at the plate in the finals of the Jesup Tournament, the Lions assembled for a faith-based, players-only meeting.

“We discussed what needed to be the center of our play,” catcher Blair Baltes said. “We’re not out there for ourselves. We’re not even out there for our team.

“Our joy in playing is supposed to be for the glory of Christ. Tomorrow isn’t promised. We’re joyful to be together.”

Batting practice wasn’t part of Sunday’s gathering. But the Lions broke out offensively in the first game of Monday’s Tri-Rivers Conference softball doubleheader.

Boy, did they break out.

Class 2A third-ranked Lisbon cranked out a school-record 25 hits in a 17-7 victory over No. 12 Alburnett at the Martin Sports Complex.

That was a 180-degree turn from Saturday’s finale, a 4-0 loss to Wapsie Valley.

Seven players collected at least three hits, and three of them — Baltes, Peyton Robinson and Ryleigh Allgood — had four apiece.

Baltes was 4-for-5 with four RBIs, and her two-run home run capped a late-developing five-run first inning.

The Lions (15-3 overall, 10-2 Tri-Rivers) concluded a sweep, 4-1, in the nightcap behind Allgood’s gem in relief.

Allgood (12-1) entered the game with the bases loaded and no outs in the bottom of the third inning, with Lisbon precariously in front, 3-1.

She got five warmup pitches and went to work.

“I was just determined to strike everybody out,” she said.

Allgood fanned the first two batters, induced a ground out on the third, and blanked the Pirates (14-7, 11-2) the rest of the way.

Alburnett left the bases loaded in each of the first three innings, but only constructed one serious scoring threat after Allgood entered.

A senior who intends to pitch at a junior college, Allgood has developed into a handy bat, as well. She reached base seven times in nine plate appearances Monday.

Prior to Monday, Allgood led the team in batting average (.535) and on-base percentage (.623).

“I’m just practicing (hitting) a lot more,” she said.

Lisbon’s record-setting Game 1 barrage started inauspiciously, with two strikeouts, including Robinson’s first of the season.

Then Kali Nelson singled, Ella Clark walked, Allgood doubled home a run, Addi Petersen knocked in two more with a single.

Baltes launched a 1-0 pitch over the right-field fence against a significant wind, and it was 5-0.

Lisbon appeared to be poised to conclude the game quickly, scoring 12 runs in the first three innings and leading 13-2 after 3 1/2.

But the Pirates tallied five times in the bottom of the fourth, and the game evolved into a 1-hour, 55-minute hit parade.

Robinson and Nelson both scored three times, as did a pair of Lisbon courtesy runners.

Lisbon 17-4, Alburnett 7-1

At Alburnett

Game 1

Lisbon 543 100 4 — 17 25 3

Alburnett 101 500 0 — 7 8 2

Ryleigh Allgood and Blair Baltes. Katelynn Bowler, Isabelle Graubard (3) and Savannah Caves. W — Allgood (11-1). L — Bowler (4-3). HR — LIS: Baltes (4), ALB: Caves (6).

Game 2

Lisbon 102 000 1 — 4 4 3

Alburnett 010 000 0 — 1 7 4

Addi Petersen, Ryleigh Allgood (3) and Blair Baltes. Ingrid Landa and Savannah Caves. W — Allgood (12-1). L — Landa (4-2).

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com