Chase County’s softball season ends at subdistricts

    The Chase County softball team’s season came to an end Oct. 4 at the hands of Gothenburg at subdistricts.
    Playing in Cozad, Gothenburg snagged the early lead with a three-run first inning.
    Though Chase County went scoreless, the Longhorns kept Gothenburg from rounding the bases in the second and third innings.
    Hailey Markee and Jasmine Johnson reached base in the third inning, but neither scored.
    CCS Head Coach Denise Smith said the Longhorns could not get anything going offensively.
    The Swedes broke the game open with seven runs in the fourth inning.
    After keeping the game close at 0-3, which was better than CCS’s previous two meetings with them, Smith said too many mistakes doomed the Longhorns.
    “We had too many mistakes in the fourth. Three errors back to back to back to start the fourth was costly, and ended the game sooner than we were hoping for,” Smith said.
    Jaiden Hill gave up 10 hits in the game. Hill struck out two and didn’t allow any walks.
Looking back on season
    This season’s five wins were Chase County’s highest total since 11 wins in 2016.
    Ella O’Neil at shortstop, Hill and pitcher Kayla Chavira were the only returning varsity players who stayed at their positions this season.
    “We were pretty inexperienced all the way around. I do think that from the start to finish we could see improvement in how they handled situations and learned from them,” Smith said.
     “I think they enjoyed each other on and off the field and really got some positive things from the season. The five wins was an improvement and helped build excitement for next year and wanting to continue to do better,” Smith said.
    The Longhorns were led by seniors O’Neil and Markenna Terryberry.
    In her third year on the team, O’Neil tied with junior Jesusita Ruiz for the most runs scored this season, 21. Playing shortstop, O’Neil had the most assists for CCS.
    Terryberry led the Longhorns with a .241 batting average. She had the most walks on the team, 26, and the second most hits on the team, 13. Out for four years of softball, it was Terryberry’s first year at first base. She had the team’s highest fielding percentage, 96.9, and most put-outs.
    Smith said both seniors had great character and personality to be leaders for the team.
    “They stayed calm, were encouraging, led by example and really set the mood for how our team reacted and responded throughout the year,” Smith said, adding they will be missed for what they accomplished on the field and for their attitudes towards others.
    Ruiz led the team in hits, 14; RBIs, 12; slugging percentage, 0.358; and stolen bases, 15. Ruiz hit three doubles, two triples and a home run.
    Hill, also a junior, was a workhorse on the pitcher’s mound for CCS.
    Offensively Hill had the team’s highest on base percentage, .582.
    Smith said all six juniors on the team have improved and grown.
    With six seniors on the team in 2020, the group didn’t get much varsity experience last year.
    “You could see the maturity and the confidence develop as the season progressed,” Smith said.
    The five sophomores came into the season without much experience, but also played in key positions throughout the year and gained that experience needed to develop, Smith said.
    “The two freshmen were thrown right in. Both handled themselves very well, had good attitudes and will play a big part in the future of our team at key positions,” Smith said.
    Smith had several highlights from the season.
    “Obviously, getting the first win was nice,” she said.
     Winning two in Yuma in one day and coming from behind to win the second one was good, as well, she added.
    Several close games also stood out, including hanging on to a close win in Hershey and a late season win over Southern Valley/Alma.
    Seeing players start to do the little things right were highlights as well for Smith.
    “Like at sub-districts having a player do something that she’s been working on or learning about all year, or completing a successful run down, getting a key hit or catching your first fly ball. They are all really good highlights and each girl will have their own I’m sure,” Smith said.
    Smith is grateful for the help she had throughout the season, from players to assistants Malorie Connelly and Karli Hale, as well as scorekeepers Shannon and Sandy O’Neil.
    “I’d like to thank all of the girls for being a part of it, the parents and school for their support, assistants for their help and my family for their understanding,” Smith said.