Lady Wave finishes tournament on high note

Errors hurt the Lady Wave softball team’s season debut last weekend but Fallon rebounded with a win in the final game.

After dropping the first four games, Fallon defeated Ponderosa in the finale, 5-4. The Wave open up league play on Friday at Sparks.

“We played a lot of great teams and saw some great pitching,” first-year coach Kasey Chu said. “This tournament really prepared us for Sparks and what we really need to focus on this week at practice. The girls are excited to start league play.”

Chu said seniors Faith Cornmesser and Hanna Hitchcock threw well during the weekend but errors plagued the defense. Junior Shelbi Schultz and sophomore Ashley Agaman also saw action in the circle with the tournament being Agaman’s varsity debut.

“Our pitchers did great,” Chu said. “They have been working really hard in the offseason and it really showed. I am excited to see these girls throw during league.”

At the plate, Chu was happy for the team to face live pitching after spending the past couple of weeks in and out of the gym. Senior Caitlyn Welch was the team’s most consistent hitter.

“It was great to get out and see a lot of live hitting,” she said. “We got to see the girls in a live-game situation for the first time as coaches and play people in different positions to see what will work best for the team.”

Madera 6, Fallon 2

Welch, Stacy Kalt and Cornmesser each recorded multiple hits to lead a nine-hit effort against Madera on Thursday. Cornmesser and Welch each drove in a run, and Alexis Jarrett, Aspen Mori and Jordan Beyers each had a hit. Cornmesser took the loss, going six innings and allowing six earned runs while striking out two and walking two.

“Our errors are what really hurt us in this game,” Chu said. “Faith pitched outstanding. We didn’t have the defense to back her up.”

McQueen 2, Fallon 1

In a classic pitching duel, Agaman’s seven-inning effort fell just short in the one-run loss on Thursday. She allowed six hits, including a pair of doubles, and struck out three and walked three. Welch led the team at the plate with two hits and the lone RBI, and Cornmesser and Agaman each had a hit.

“Our defense was much better this game and Ashley also pitched a very good game,” Chu said. “This was her first outing on the varsity team and I am very excited to see her this season. Our bats were slow and we just didn’t make the adjustments.”

Wood 9, Fallon 0

The offense was handcuffed, collecting singles from Macie Anderson and Kalt on Friday. Hitchcock took the loss, allowing one earned run in four innings while striking out four. Shelbi Schultz pitched one inning and allowed three earned runs.

“Hanna came out strong pitching for us and again, our defense had quite a few errors,” Chu said. “We were more alive with the bats, but not what we needed to win this game.”

Elk Grove 15, Fallon 0

Against the tournament host on Friday, Cornmesser prevented the no-hitter with a double as Fallon struggled at the plate. Cornmesser took the loss, giving up five earned runs in three innings while Agaman allowed three earned runs in one inning. Both struck out one.

“They were probably the best overall team in the tournament. They had great hitters,” Chu said of Elk Grove. “They came out swinging and jumped on the first inning. We were able to put the ball in play, but again, had too many errors on defense.”

Fallon 5, Ponderosa 4

Cornmesser’s two-hit, two-RBI performance helped break the four-game losing streak on Saturday. Lorynn Fagg, Jarrett, Mori, Beyers and Welch each had a hit, and Beyers also drove in two on a triple. Cormesser, Welch and Jarett each doubled. Hitchcock picked up the win, going the distance in allowing one earned run and striking out three against one walk.

“The girls came out with an entirely different approach and seemed to be a lot more focused and disciplined,” Chu said. “Hanna pitched a great game, the defense was solid behind her and the offense put the ball into play. Overall, we had a good game.”