Fire & Ice 12s suffer four one-run losses

NORFOLK - The Columbus Fire & Ice 12-and-under softball team were close each time, but finished the Norfolk Golden Girls tournament with four one-run losses over the weekend.

In Saturday's pool play, the Fire & Ice started with a 3-2 setback to the Ralston Ravens. Kelsey Newman took the loss with seven strikeouts. Melanie Braun led the offense with a double and single, while Shelby Brooks added a double. Alexis Beckius, Newman, Brittany Johnson, Morgan Benesch and Tina Woodside all had singles.

Against the Suburban Pride, Columbus fell 5-4. Newman and Braun took the loss in the circle. Stephani Jarecke and Johnson led the bats, each with a double, and Shannon Graham added a single.

The Fire & Ice closed pool play with a 7-6 loss to the Golden Girls. Columbus erased a 6-0 deficit, but couldn't get over the hump. Brooks hit a double, while Graham, Newman, Braun and Johnson all had singles.

The Ravens toppled the First & Ice in Sunday's tournament play to end the tough-luck weekend. Newman recorded six strikeouts in the loss. Columbus led in the fourth, but Ralston rallied for the win in the fifth. Graham, Newman, Johnson and Brooks each hits doubles, while Braun and Jarecke each finished with singles.

Lakeview 14s

COLUMBUS - The Lakeview Blue Lightning 14-and-under softball team finished two doubleheaders last week with a 2-2 record.

On Thursday, the Blue Lightning (11-4-1) split with the Norfolk Golden Girls as its bats came alive in the second game.

In the first game, Lakeview finished with just three hits and scored three runs in the fourth inning as it fell 7-3. Sarah Leimser took the loss as she struck out five batters in five innings of work. Shelby Sempek hit a triple, while Leimser and Brea Muhle added singles.

The Blue Lightning rebounded with 14 runs on 19 hits, while limiting Norfolk to eight runs. Bobbie Hoefelman, Sempek and Kaylee Dewald each finished with three hits. Hoefelman picked up the win as she allowed five earned runs while striking out four in four innings.

On Wednesday, a doubleheader against the Columbus Fire & Ice unfolded in similar fashion as Lakeview dropped the second game before its offense came alive to win the nightcap.

The Blue Lightning was set back by seven errors as the Fire & Ice won 9-8. Hoefelman, who took the loss, hit a double and triple, while Samantha Welch added two singles.

In the second game, Lakeview emerged with an 8-1 victory. The Blue Lightning posted four runs in the first inning and totaled 12 hits. Hoefelman led the offense with a double and two singles. Sempek and Muhle each added a double and single. Katie Bunkers went 2-for-2 with two runs. Leimser pitched a complete game two-hitter for the victory.