Busy schedule ahead for Longhorn softball team

    Three panhandle schools were on the schedule last week for the Chase County softball team.
    The Longhorns traveled to Gering Sept. 13 for a triangular with the Bulldogs (12-9) and Bayard (1-12).
    CCS lost in three inninga against Gering, 0-12. Jesusita Ruiz and Jaiden Hill both singled and reached third in the game, but didn’t score. Hill pitched a complete game, striking out four and walking one.
    Chase County Head Coach Denise Smith said the Longhorns had some errors that gave Gering extra bases, but offensively, CCS was at least making some contact with the ball and putting it in play.
    The Longhorns jumped all over Bayard in the second game. With the Tiger softball program being brand new, Smith said there were a lot of unknowns going into the game.
    Ruiz started the game off with a triple and added two doubles and a single before the night was over.
    Jasmine Johnson and Hill each had two hits in the game.
    “It was a good game for us defensively with only one error and also our best offensive game of the year. It was good to see us make some solid contact with the ball,” Smith said.
    Smith went deep into her bench, playing 20 players in the 16-1 win.
    Hill pitched a one-hitter while striking out three and walking one.
    Last Thursday the Longhorns hosted a doubleheader with Chadron (13-9).
    CCS gave up eight first inning runs in game one, but scored three in the bottom half after Ruiz led off with a triple. Those were Chase County’s only runs in the 3-17 loss.
    On the mound, Hill struck out five and walked one.
    CCS also scored three runs in the second game, but lost 3-16.
    Hill struck out three batters.
    Smith said she thought CCS did a better job of making contact and putting the ball in play offensively.
    The Longhorns had three hits in each game, but also put the ball in play 12 other times.
    “Our defensive and base running were costly. We need to make the plays when we have the opportunity and take advantage of runners when they get on base,” Smith added.
Up next
    The next two weeks will have the Longhorns on the run.
    CCS hosted Cozad for a JV/varsity doubleheader Tuesday. Smith said it would be nice to have the JV girls get another chance to play.
    Thursday will be the Ogallala double dual. Chase County will face McCook and North Platte.
    On Saturday, the Longhorns will have a home doubleheader against Bayard.
    Next week stays busy with a JV doubleheader at McCook Monday, then varsity doubleheaders against Southern Valley and Kearney Catholic Tuesday, Holyoke Colorado Thursday and Alliance and Chadron Saturday before subdistricts begin Oct. 3.