Scotties Add Two Wins

The Glasgow Scotties softball team traveled to Glendive on Friday, May 7 for a double header. The night had originally been scheduled for a single game but was bumped up to a double header after weather cancelled an early season game in Glasgow between the two teams.

Glasgow took both games, winning the first 6-2 and taking the second game 11-8. The Scotties took an early lead in the first game and never gave it up, allowing Dawson County only two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. The Bulldogs looked to return the favor in the second game, racking up three runs in the top of the first. Glasgow, however, took their runs to 11 in the bottom of the fourth inning and held on to their lead for the win.

The two wins put Glasgow's record at 6-5 on the season.

In game one, Daley Aune put the Scotties on the scoreboard first, rounding home plate when Davyn Myrick doubled on a line drive to center field. With the Scotties on defense, Aune took on pitching duties for Glasgow. The sophomore, along with her teammates denied Dawson County any runs in the first two innings.

Glasgow added a second run in the top of the third, repeating a play from the first inning: Aune scoring on a Myrick double to center field. The Scotties again shut out the host team before adding two more runs in the top of the fourth. Meranda Bechel and Stevie Hartwell completed their trips around the bases on a single by Elizabeth Nyquist to left field.

The Bulldogs answered in the bottom of the inning, scoring two runs to tighten the score to 4-2, Glasgow. The defenses came on strong in the fifth and sixth innings with neither team scoring. In the top of the seventh, the Scotties put two more on the scoreboard and then shut out Dawson County in the bottom of the inning for the win. Alexys Mann scored on an error by the Bulldog pitcher while Ashley Meland crossed the plate on a single by Myrick to center field.

Myrick led the Scotties with three RBIs on three doubles, going 4-for-4 at bat. E. Nyquist had two RBIs. Aune added two hits and Mann, Bechel, and E. Nyquist had one each. Myrick also led the team in total bases with seven. Aune and Mann had two bases each. Aune, Hartwell, Meland and Nyquist stole bases in the game. Aune lasted all seven innings for Glasgow, allowing two runs on seven hits. She threw a 64 strike percentage and struck out six players.

Dawson took a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning of the second game before both teams' defenses took over and denied any runs until the bottom of the fourth inning. Then the Scotties turned on the offense. Mann started the scoring streak on an Aune single ground ball to shortstop. Aune herself crossed home on a passed ball after stealing third.

Myrick scored on a Bechel sacrifice. Carly Nelson singled on a fly ball to center field and sent Tatum Nyquist home. Bechel scored on a passed ball with Hartwell at bat. Nelson scored when Hartwell reached first on a dropped third strike. The Scottie catcher scored when Mann hit a pop fly to left field.

The scoring onslaught continued when Meland hit a single to left field and batted in Brielle Partridge and Mann. Meland and Myrick rounded home on a T. Nyquist double to center field. Bechel popped out to second base to end the Scotties' time at bat.

Dawson County put up a run in the fifth, two in the sixth and two in the seventh, but the Bulldogs were unable overcome the Scotties' powerhouse fourth inning.

Myrick went 2-for-3 at bat while Meland and T. Nyquist led Glasgow with two RBIs each. Mann, Aune, Bechel and Nelson had one RBI each. Aune and Mann had two stolen bases, while Bechel, Hartwell, Meland, Myrick, Nelson, T. Nyquist and Partridge added one each.

Meland earned the win for Glasgow, pitching for five innings. She allowed four runs on six hits while striking out six and throwing a 55.5 strike percentage. Partridge came in as relief pitcher for two innings, and allowed four runs on four hits. She threw a 67.6 strike percentage while striking out three Bulldogs.

The script flipped in Glasgow Monday evening when the Scotties hosted the Havre Blue Ponies on Senior Night. Glasgow fell to their guests 15-2 after Havre scored 10 runs in the top of the fourth to take control of the game.

Both teams sent strong defenses to the field in the first inning as each team went three-up, three-down in their first at bat. Havre took the lead in the top of the second, sending two runners round the bases. The guests then shut out Glasgow. The Scotties held the Blue Ponies to zero runs in the top of the third, then tied up the score at 2 a piece.

Scottie senior Mann scored on a passes ball with Meland at bat. Meland stole second with Aune at bat. Meland added a run herself on an Aune double ground ball to center field. The run would be Glasgow's final in the game.

Havre brought their hitting game in the top of the fourth. The Blue Ponies sent 10 runners around the bases to run up the score to 12-2 before denying the Scotties any scoring attempts in the bottom of the inning. In the top of the fifth, the guests added three more runs to extend their lead to 15-2, a score that would close out the game.

Patridge took the loss for Glasgow, pitching three and two-thirds innings. The sophomore allowed seven runs on eight hits, while throwing a 62.1 strike percentage. Aune relieved Partridge in the fourth inning and allowed eight runs on eight hits while throwing a 53.3 strike percentage. Meland stepped into the pitcher's circle late in the fifth inning to throw 10 pitches. Mann, Aune, Myrick, and Hartwell each registered a hit for the Scotties while Aune had the team's only RBI. Mann and Meland both had a stolen base.

Head Coach Ryan Hartwell said his team is tickled to be sitting at 6-6 this late in the season, especially with as many Class A schools as his girls have faced. He noted after the Havre game that aside from one tough inning, the Scotties were in a tight game with a tough opponent.

The coach was pleased with his team's performance in Glendive last week. "We've been playing people in their solid positions," he said. "Aside from a little shifting when we switch pitchers, the girls are where they play." He also noted that Aune turned in a full game as pitcher, which is what the coaches are looking for. Also garnering the coach's praise was catcher S. Hartwell, who had a number of tag outs in the Scotties' wins.

The Scotties will be in Lewistown for a game at 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 13. After that the team will attend the Cut Bank Invitational, playing four games. Two games will be on Friday, May 14, and two on Saturday, May 15.